Israel and Hamas sign off first phase of peace plan
US President Donald Trump has posted on social media that Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of the peace plan. BBC live feed of the story here. Pictures of diplomats shaking hands and embracing, were published from the location of the talks in Sharm el Sheikh at 2am their time. Trump’s Truth Social statement said: “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.” The deal involves exchanging all the living hostages in return for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. It is believed that there are 48 Israeli hostages in Gaza, and around 20 are still alive. The Jerusalem Post has a live feed here
Synagogue attacker pledged allegiance to Islamic State
Jihad al-Shamie, the man who attacked Heaton Park synagogue when two people were killed, is revealed to have pledged allegiance to Islamic State. Manchester police say that he phoned 999 soon after driving his car into worshippers at the synagogue gates and stabbing at least two people. He was shot dead by police shortly afterwards. It was this call which led police to quickly say that it was a terrorist attack. The Times reports that although al-Shamie claimed to have acted on behalf of Islamic State, MI5 has been unable to establish any links between him and the terror group or other proscribed organisations. Six people have since been arrested in connection with the attack and all have been released without charge.
Trial starts of men accused of plotting mass shooting of Jews
Two alleged Islamic State-inspired terrorists plotted to massacre Jews in the north-west of England, Preston Crown Court has heard. The Telegraph reports the prosecution saying that Walid Saadaoui, 38, and 52-year-old Amar Hussein planned to “kill as many members of the Jewish community as they could” with assault rifles. They are said to have planned to smuggle six firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition into the country before they were arrested by counter-terror officers in May last year. The men deny preparing acts of terrorism. Mr Saadaoui’s brother Bilel, 36, is accused of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism, which he denies. Greater Manchester Police has issued a statement saying: “We know this will involve disturbing and upsetting details at what is already a time of heightened anxiety following last week’s events. There is no link between this alleged conspiracy and the attack in Crumpsall last week. The suspects were arrested and charged in May 2024, following a long-running intelligence-led operation.”
Health Secretary wants antisemitic doctors stripped of licence before tribunal
The Sun reports that the Health Secretary Wes Streeting is urgently drawing up measures to strip antisemitic doctors of their licence to practise, before a tribunal has heard the case. It follows the case of junior doctor Rahmeh Aladwan, who was declared fit to practice, despite posting antisemitic comments. The GMC says she will face another tribunal. The Sun quotes a Health Department source saying that Mr Streeting is “furious with the glacial pace the system operates at and the failure to recognise blatant antisemitism”. Telegraph report here
Conservative evangelical Christians campaign against draft conversion therapy ban
Twenty four church leaders from conservative evangelical groups, have signed an open letter to the government, expressing “grave concern” at draft proposals to ban conversion therapy. They say this could “criminalise mainstream, historic Christian teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, and make sharing the Gospel with some people illegal. We are also concerned it could prevent parents from guiding their children on matters of sexuality and gender, and from urging caution if their child says they want to undergo gender treatment.” The signatories’ churches include branches of Presbyterian and Baptist denominations, free churches and the Anglican Network in Europe. The initiative is part of the Christian Institute’s “Let Us Pray” campaign and has picked up a further 4,000 signatories from supporters online.
Police ban street preacher from using a microphone
Controversial street preacher Ollie Sabatelli has been banned from using a microphone by police in Guildford. They said his preaching was “causing annoyance, upset and distress” to the public and handed him a Community Protection Notice preventing the use of amplification equipment. Mr Sabatelli has 215,000 followers on TikTok, and an additional 181,000 on Instagram, describing himself in his Bio as a “servant of Christ” who is “preparing the way” for his return. He went to Guildford from Brighton where was again reprimanded by police for street preaching, including complaints about his comments on the Bible and homosexuality. He was banned from the city for 24 hours at one point but then decided to leave the area and become an itinerant preacher instead.
