United News of Bangladesh

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that China and Indonesia have become a model for major developing countries to collaborate on solidarity, development, and mutual benefit. Li made the remarks in a written statement upon arriving in Jakarta for an official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. China and Indonesia are friends and neighbors across the sea and close partners with a shared future, Li said, adding that this year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties, which have maintained steady growth. Ready to work with Germany to open new chapter in all-round strategic partnership: Xi The traditional friendship has grown stronger over time and practical cooperation has yielded rich fruits, Li said. Li recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Prabowo met twice last year, reached an important consensus on building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global influence, lifted bilateral ties to new heights, and opened new opportunities for both sides to deepen cooperation in various fields. China stands ready to work with Indonesia to keep consolidating cooperation in the "five pillars" of politics, economy, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, maritime affairs and security, Li said. He urged both sides to enrich the China-Indonesia community with a shared future, join hands to pursue modernization, and make greater contributions to regional and global peace, stability and development. China criticizes US ban on Harvard's international students Li noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. Over the past 70 years, the Bandung Spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation has provided guidance for the independent and self-reliant development of Asian and African countries, injected impetus into the unity and cooperation of the Global South countries, and become an important norm of international relations, he added. At present, the world is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, and all countries face many common challenges in their development, he said, stressing that as major developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and Indonesia should further carry forward the Bandung Spirit, strengthen solidarity and coordination, promote the practice of true multilateralism, work together to address challenges, so as to boost and share prosperity. During his visit, Li will hold talks with Indonesian leaders and attend events of the business community. Premier Li Qiang to visit Indonesia, attend ASEAN-GCC Summit to boost regional cooperation

At least 60 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as Israel continued its military campaign and allowed only limited humanitarian aid into the area. The fatalities included 10 in Khan Younis in the south, four in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and nine in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north, according to reports from Nasser, Al-Aqsa, and Al-Ahli hospitals. Israel is facing increasing global condemnation over its continued offensive and the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has been under near-total blockade for almost three months. Experts warn that many of the two million residents face imminent famine. Even the United States, Israel’s key ally, has voiced alarm about the hunger crisis. Microsoft fires employee who interrupted CEO's speech to protest AI tech for Israeli military The latest airstrikes extended into Friday, just a day after Israeli forces targeted a hospital in northern Gaza with tanks and drones, causing fires and widespread destruction, according to Palestinian health officials. Video from Al-Awda Hospital showed destroyed walls and thick black smoke. Israel has pledged to continue its operations until Hamas surrenders and releases the remaining 58 Israeli hostages. Fewer than half of those hostages are believed to still be alive. Washington Attack Linked to Gaza Conflict The Gaza violence coincides with a deadly incident in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot after attending an event. The suspect, who claimed the act was "for Palestine," has been charged with murder. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and criticized France, the UK, and Canada for backing the idea of a Palestinian state, arguing their stance implicitly supports Hamas. Minimal Aid Flows In, U.N. Says It's Not Enough In response to growing pressure, Israel allowed over 100 aid trucks into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Friday, carrying essentials like flour, food, and medical supplies. However, the U.N. called the volume inadequate compared to the 600 daily trucks needed during previous ceasefires. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Israel for offering only “a teaspoon of aid when a flood is needed,” noting that no aid has yet reached northern Gaza. Distribution is hampered by Israeli military restrictions and security issues within Gaza. At a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, desperate residents lined up with empty containers, hoping for a portion of lentil soup. Displaced mother Halima Abu Amra said her injured daughter survives on discarded, soaked bread, while her younger children eat only soup. The World Food Program reported that 15 of its aid trucks were looted in southern Gaza on Thursday night, citing growing desperation and lawlessness. Israel says the current aid is temporary until a new U.S.-backed initiative begins. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organization, is expected to manage future aid efforts, using armed contractors for security. Israel claims the move is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting aid. The U.N. has rejected this plan, arguing that it undermines international law and humanitarian standards. Guterres stated that the U.N. already has the capacity to deliver aid via 9,000 trucks. Meanwhile, a Geneva-based advocacy group has initiated legal proceedings to push Swiss authorities to oversee the GHF, which is registered in Switzerland. The foundation insists it operates independently and within humanitarian guidelines. Ceasefire Talks Stalled Ceasefire negotiations in Doha have hit a deadlock. Prime Minister Netanyahu withdrew his top negotiating team, citing lack of progress. A smaller team remains in place. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the two sides remain far apart. Hamas accused Netanyahu of pretending to negotiate in bad faith. The war began with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251. In response, Israel launched a devastating campaign in Gaza, which has since claimed over 53,000 Palestinian lives, primarily women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Rising West Bank Violence The conflict has also escalated violence in the occupied West Bank. In Bruqin, Israeli settlers reportedly attacked Palestinian residents on Thursday, torching vehicles and damaging homes. The U.N. confirmed that eight people were injured, mostly while trying to put out fires. Israeli strikes kill 51 in Gaza as limited aid begins to arrive Mustafa Khater, a local resident, said settler violence had been ongoing for days. He evacuated his family out of fear but stayed behind to protect their home. The West Bank has seen an upsurge in both settler and military violence since the Gaza war began, with large Israeli operations targeting militants, killing hundreds and displacing many, while also triggering Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

On Friday, the Trump administration initiated major exemptions to longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria, marking a significant step toward President Trump's commitment to end decades of punitive measures against a nation devastated by 13 years of civil war. Though sweeping, these exemptions are temporary and could be reversed. Syrians argue that only permanent relief can attract the tens of billions in investment needed to rebuild a country torn apart by war, displacement, and foreign militias. The State Department issued a six-month waiver on harsh sanctions introduced by Congress in 2019, while the Treasury Department paused enforcement on penalties targeting those doing business with various Syrian entities, including the country’s central bank. Syria is currently governed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former militia leader who played a role in ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last year. EU to lift Syria sanctions, keep measures on former Assad regime President Trump stated last week that easing sanctions is intended to give Syria’s transitional government a chance to stabilize. The administration described the move as an opening for renewed investment and progress, calling it “a fresh start.” Mouaz Moustafa, a Syrian American advocate for sanctions relief, said this approach could finally offer Syria a path to democracy, avoiding the collapse into a failed state. The 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act was designed to isolate Assad’s regime and hinder post-war reconstruction efforts. Though executive orders can waive these sanctions for 180 days, investors remain cautious due to the uncertainty of their permanence. Friday’s decisions, the administration said, are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the full framework of sanctions levied against the Assad regime, which were imposed due to ties with Iran-backed groups, use of chemical weapons, and human rights abuses. Conditions and Expectations Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Trump expects swift policy reforms in exchange for the relief. However, skepticism lingers due to al-Sharaa’s history — his faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was once aligned with al-Qaida, despite later renouncing the affiliation. The group remains on the U.S. terrorist watchlist. U.S. officials warn that failure by al-Sharaa’s government could trigger renewed conflict and open the door for extremist groups like ISIS to regain ground. “We had to engage. Not engaging would’ve guaranteed failure,” Rubio told Congress, noting that sanctions needed to be lifted urgently as Syria’s interim leadership could be on the brink of collapse. Trump met with al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia last week, a day after announcing the rollback: “We’re taking them all off. Good luck, Syria. Show us something special.” Despite the urgency, Rubio said the administration prefers an “incremental” approach to permanent relief. UK halts trade talks with Israel, announces sanctions over West Bank settlers While executive action can quickly waive some penalties, removing congressional sanctions permanently would require legislation. Within the administration, there’s division — some officials advocate for immediate broad relief, while others prefer a phased strategy, tying further relief to conditions being met by Syria’s government. One plan under discussion involves a three-phase process: beginning with temporary waivers, followed by stricter conditions for deeper relief, and ultimately, a complete lifting of sanctions. Conditions for phase two include eliminating “Palestinian terror groups” from Syria, which some say is too vague to enforce. Other requirements involve taking custody of Islamic State detainees and integrating U.S.-allied Kurdish forces into the national military. Phase three would demand Syria normalize relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords and verifiably dismantle Assad-era chemical weapons. Israel remains wary of Syria’s new leadership, despite statements from Damascus indicating no intent to engage in conflict. Since Assad's fall, Israel has launched numerous airstrikes and occupied parts of a U.N.-buffer zone within Syrian territory.

A Norwegian man awoke to find that a cargo ship had run aground and narrowly missed crashing into his home along the Trondheim Fjord's coast. Johan Helberg told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he'd slept through the whole thing and only woke up when a neighbor started ringing his doorbell, AP reports. Images show the ship’s red and green bow just meters (yards) from Helberg’s house. He told NRK the only damage was to a heating pump's wire.

Liang Jianjun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, emphasised the importance of good neighbourly relations, stating that "a good neighbour means a peaceful and secure home." “That’s why the Central Committee convened the first-ever Neighbourhood Diplomacy Work Conference, explicitly positioning neighbourhood relations as the foundation for China’s development and prosperity. It is a priority in safeguarding national security, a key element of overall diplomatic strategy, and a vital part of building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said. Liang made the remarks during a recent press conference held at the “Lin Jia 7 Salon” within the Beijing International Club. He mentioned that many of China’s key foreign policy initiatives—such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative—were first introduced or advanced in neighbouring countries. China's foreign trade continues to grow despite challenges posed by tariff barriers To date, China has achieved consensus on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighbouring nations. The most recent agreement was with Brunei in February this year. In mainland Southeast Asia and Central Asia, China has established two major regional clusters dedicated to fostering shared future communities. Liang further added that China’s neighbourhood diplomacy is guided by the vision of constructing five types of shared homes—peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly. This vision is supported by the principle of forging friendships and partnerships with neighbours based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, as well as the belief in building a community of shared destiny. "It adheres to the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, with high-quality Belt and Road cooperation serving as the main platform, and a security model based on common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security as the strategic foundation," he added. Foreign Ministers laud progress in China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral cooperation Regarding tariffs, he said China pledged to strengthen supply chain cooperation, emphasising that tariff wars have no winners—a sharp contrast to U.S. economic bullying. This has positioned China as a champion of free trade, defender of developing countries’ interests, and a leader in regional cooperation. This image has become deeply ingrained, showing China as a trustworthy, stable, and long-term partner in the region, sending a reassuring signal amid uncertainty. China speaks and acts accordingly. Faced with the U.S. unilateral tariff impositions, China stood firm as a pillar, was the first to counter decisively, and compelled the U.S. to adjust its tariff policies, Liang added. BD, China hold talks on bilateral ties, "common concern"

President Vladimir Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region for the first time since Moscow claimed that it drove Ukrainian forces out of the area, the Kremlin said Wednesday. The Russian military had announced its troops have fully reclaimed the border territory in late April — nearly nine months after losing chunks of the region on the border with Ukraine to a surprise Ukrainian incursion. Ukraine has denied the claim and has indicated that its troops were still present in the Kursk region. Losing control of the land in Kursk would deprive Kyiv of key leverage in any negotiations to end the 3-year-old war by exchanging its gains for some of Russian-occupied land in Ukraine. Here are key moments of the battle for Kursk and its impact: A Ukrainian blitz Ukrainian forces pushed into Kursk on Aug. 6, 2024, in a stunning attack, with battle-hardened mechanized units quickly overwhelming lightly armed Russian border guards and inexperienced army conscripts. Hundreds were taken prisoner. The incursion was a humiliating blow to the Kremlin — the first time the country’s territory was occupied by an invader since World War II. It was plotted in complete secrecy, with the Ukrainian troops involved reportedly told of their mission only a day before it began. Russia’s drones and intelligence assets were focused on battlefields in eastern Ukraine, which enabled Kyiv to pull its troops covertly to the border under the cover of thick forests. Ukrainian units quickly drove deep into the Kursk region in several directions, meeting little resistance and sowing chaos and panic. As the most capable Russian units were fighting in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, Moscow didn’t have enough land forces to protect the Kursk region and other border areas. Putin visits Russia’s Kursk for first time since Moscow claims to oust Ukrainian forces Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast the incursion as a way to distract Russian forces in the east and said Kyiv could eventually exchange its gains for Russian-occupied territory in peace talks. Ukraine’s chief military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Kyiv’s forces captured nearly 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) and about 100 settlements in the region that covers 29,900 square kilometers (11,540 square miles). Unlike the static front lines in Donetsk, Ukrainian units were able to roam the region without establishing a lasting presence in many settlements they seized. While the incursion came as a much-sought morale boost for Ukraine amid battlefield setbacks, skeptics saw it as a dangerous gamble that distracted some of its most capable forces from Donetsk, where Kyiv was steadily losing ground to the Russian offensive. Russia’s slow response In the incursion's opening days, Russia relied on warplanes and helicopters because it lacked ground forces to stop the onslaught. At the same time, Moscow began pulling a motley collection of reinforcements from all over Russia, some of whom lacked combat experience and had trouble coordinating with each other, contributing to Ukraine’s swift gains. Germany's economy will stagnate this year as tariffs cast a shadow: advisers But contrary to Kyiv's hopes, the incursion didn’t force Moscow to shift a significant number of troops there. Since Russia lacked the resources to expel the attackers quickly, it focused on stemming deeper Ukrainian advances by sealing roads and targeting Kyiv’s reserves. North Korea's role In the fall, Ukraine, the United States, and South Korea said North Korea — which previously had supplied weapons to Moscow — had also deployed 10,000-12,000 troops to Russia to fight in Kursk. Moscow and Pyongyang initially responded vaguely to the reports of the North Korean deployment, emphasizing that their military cooperation conforms with international law, without directly admitting the troops' presence. However, last month they confirmed the deployment. Reporting to Putin on reclaiming seized areas in Kursk on April 26, Russia’s General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov said North Korean soldiers took part in “combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen during the repelling of the Ukrainian incursion.” In a statement on the Kremlin's website two days later, Putin praised North Korean soldiers, saying the “Russian people will never forget" their heroism. "We will always honor the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, fighting side by side with their Russian brothers in arms,” Putin said. UK inflation hits highest level in over a year as domestic bills spike While North Korean soldiers are highly disciplined and well-trained, Ukraine and its allies said they suffered heavy casualties from drone and artillery attacks due to a lack of combat experience and unfamiliar terrain. In January, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said about 300 North Korean soldiers had died and another 2,700 had been injured. Zelenskyy had earlier put the number of killed and wounded North Koreans at 4,000, although U.S. estimates were lower, about 1,200. South Korea's spy agency said in February that North Korea apparently had sent additional troops to Russia. Russia intensifies efforts to reclaim Kursk The Kremlin bolstered Russian forces in Kursk in the fall, and they gradually intensified their effort to drive out the Ukrainians. By February, Russia reclaimed about two-thirds of the captured territory, leaving Ukraine with an area around Sudzha, a border town that was Ukraine's main hub in the region. EU to lift Syria sanctions, keep measures on former Assad regime Pressure on Ukrainian troops sharply increased in March, when Russian forces sought to cut a corridor between Sudzha and Ukraine’s Sumy region across the border. Russian artillery and drones relentlessly pummeled the road, which was littered with the carcasses of military hardware that made it hard for Ukraine to ferry supplies and rotate troops. The interdiction of supply routes put Ukrainian forces in a difficult position, said Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment. “As the Kursk pocket got squeezed, it became increasingly unsustainable,” he said. In a daring raid in early March, 600 Russian troops crawled 15 kilometers (over 9 miles) through a natural gas pipeline and emerged near Sudzha to strike Ukrainian troops from the rear. The operation came as the U.S. halted weapon supplies and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, a move that followed an acrimonious White House meeting on Feb. 28 between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump. After talks with Ukraine on March 11, when Kyiv agreed to accept a 30-day ceasefire proposal, the U.S. said it was unfreezing the assistance. Consequences for Ukraine Ukraine's military General Staff in April dismissed Moscow's claim of retaking full control of Kursk and published a map Wednesday suggesting Ukrainian troops still were present in small parts of the region near the border. Losing control over land in Kursk would weaken Kyiv’s hand in any peace talks, removing its bargaining chip for exchanging territory it lost earlier in the war. Russia holds about a fifth of Ukraine, and Kyiv’s defeat in Kursk would also raise the threat of Moscow's farther advance in the Sumy border region. On a visit to Russian military headquarters in Kursk last month, Putin set the task of carving a “security zone” along the border, a signal his military was considering a possible foray into Sumy. Gerasimov said in late April that the efforts to create a security zone in Sumy's border areas were ongoing, and that the Russian military controlled over 90 square kilometers (35 square miles) there.

China's foreign trade has maintained steady growth despite facing high tariff barriers, demonstrating that China is fully equipped, capable and confident in withstanding various risks and challenges, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday. Mao made the remarks at a regular news briefing to comment on the impact of external factors such as tariffs on the Chinese economy after a recent U.N. report said global economic growth is expected to slow to 2.4 percent in 2025 due to heightened trade tensions along with policy uncertainty. International media have described China's economic performance as "exceeding expectations" and "resilient," she said, citing trade figures in the first four months this year. In the first four months, the total value of imports and exports of goods increased by 2.4 percent year on year while exports rose by 7.5 percent, demonstrating strong international competitiveness, she said. Meanwhile, China continues to expand opening up, providing greater space and more stable expectations for foreign businesses, she added. "All these demonstrate that China is fully equipped, capable and confident in withstanding various risks and challenges," Mao said. 

An informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan was held in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, presided over the meeting. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi also attended the meeting. The foreign ministers expressed optimism about the outcomes of the dialogue, reaffirming their commitment to deepen collaboration and fully realize the potential of the trilateral mechanism for mutual benefit. After the meeting, Wang Yi reviewed and summarized its key outcomes, highlighting the main points of consensus and future cooperation.

A suicide bomber driving a car attacked a school bus in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of five people, including at least three children, and injuring 38 others, according to authorities. The incident occurred near the city of Khuzdar while the bus was transporting students to a school run by the military, said local deputy commissioner Yasir Iqbal. Security forces quickly secured the site, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Television footage showed the bus severely damaged and debris strewn across the road. Though no group immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion has fallen on Baloch separatist groups, particularly the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has carried out numerous attacks in the region. The United States designated the BLA a terrorist organization in 2019. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the bombing, calling it a “barbaric act” targeting innocent children and vowed that the attackers would be held accountable. Initial reports said four children had died, but officials later confirmed that two adults were also among the deceased. Several of the wounded children remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll may rise. The Pakistani military issued a statement calling the attack "cowardly and horrific," blaming neighboring India and alleging that the attack was carried out by Indian-backed groups operating in Balochistan. Indian authorities have not commented, but India has repeatedly denied supporting the BLA or any other separatist movement in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed the military’s allegations, claiming the attack demonstrated India’s animosity toward education in Balochistan. He pledged to bring those responsible to justice but provided no evidence to support his claim. Tensions between Pakistan and India have been rising, particularly since recent escalations over the disputed Kashmir region. In that context, the BLA has even publicly appealed for Indian support—though India has not responded. Despite being Pakistan's largest province in terms of land area, Balochistan remains sparsely populated and is home to the country's ethnic Baloch minority, many of whom allege systemic discrimination by the central government. Violence in the province is not uncommon. In March, the BLA claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a train in Balochistan, killing 33 people, mostly military personnel. More recently, the group announced plans for continued operations targeting the Pakistani military and its allies, asserting their aim to establish an independent and stable Balochistan. While targeting schoolchildren is rare for separatist groups in Balochistan, such attacks have occurred elsewhere in Pakistan. In a grim reminder, the Pakistani Taliban carried out a massacre at a military-run school in Peshawar in 2014, killing 154 people, mostly children. In Pakistan, most educational institutions are operated by the government or private entities, although the military also runs many schools for both civilians and military families.  

The UK suspended free trade talks with Israel on Tuesday and hit West Bank settlers with sanctions, less than a day after vowing “concrete actions” if Israel didn't stop its new military offensive in Gaza. Pressure from close allies is mounting on Israel following a nearly three-month blockade of supplies into Gaza that led to famine warnings. Even the United States, a staunch ally, has voiced concerns over the hunger crisis, AP reports. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the government couldn't continue talks on upgrading its existing trade agreement with an Israeli government pursuing what he called egregious policies in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. “History will judge them," Lammy said. "Blocking aid. Expanding the war. Dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible. And it must stop.” Israeli’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, was summoned to the Foreign Office, where Middle East minister Hamish Falconer said he would call the 11-week blockade of aid to Gaza “cruel and indefensible.” The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc was reviewing an EU pact governing trade ties with Israel over its conduct of the war in Gaza. Kallas, speaking on Tuesday at a press conference in Brussels after chairing a meeting of foreign ministers, said “a huge majority” of member nations are “very keen on sending this message that the suffering of these people is untenable.” She did not provide clear details on timing and mechanisms for the review. Lammy said the UK was imposing sanctions on a further “three individuals, two illegal settler outposts and two organizations supporting violence against the Palestinian community.” He said the illegal Israeli settlements were spreading across the West Bank “with the explicit support of this Israeli government.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, called the sanctions against West Bank settlers “unjustified and regrettable” and said the free trade agreement negotiations were not being advanced by the UK anyway. While Lammy’s words were welcomed by some in the House of Commons, others called for stronger action, suggesting economic sanctions against Israel and recognizing the state of Palestine. A handful of members shouted for him to call Israel’s actions “genocide,” though Lammy labeled it “extremism” and “monstrous.” Still others criticized the joint statement, saying it favoured Hamas. “Opposing the expansion of a war that has killed thousands of children is not rewarding Hamas,” Lammy said. Israel eases Gaza blockade slightly; only 5 aid trucks enter since Monday The UK announcement followed comments by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called children's suffering in Gaza “utterly intolerable” and repeated his call for a ceasefire. “I want to put on record today that we’re horrified by the escalation from Israel,” Starmer said. Earlier on Monday, Starmer joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in issuing one of the most significant criticisms by close allies of Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza and its actions in the West Bank. The three leaders threatened to take “concrete actions” if the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not cease its renewed military offensive and significantly lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. Netanyahu called the statement “a huge prize” for Hamas. Starmer said a ceasefire was the only way to free the dozens of hostages Hamas still holds. He also called for increased shipments of humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying the basic quantity allowed by Israel is “utterly inadequate.” “This war has gone on for far too long,” Starmer said. “We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve.” While Israel allowed a first few trucks with baby food and desperately needed supplies to begin rolling into Gaza on Monday, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described it as a “drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.” Israel said dozens more trucks entered Tuesday.