Israel-Hamas war: 5 key developments on Sunday 26 November
Tens of thousands of people attended a march against antisemitism in London on Sunday, the day after the latest demonstration in the capital to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Sunday's demonstration, which was attended by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson along with celebrities including Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rachel Riley, Eddie Marsan and Robert Rinder, saw English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson arrested after he tried to join marchers.
The march came as the Israeli military said 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals had been released from captivity in Gaza, on the third day of a four-day truce which is set to see Hamas release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Here are the main stories from today:
1. Hamas hands over more hostages
Another 17 hostages were freed by Hamas on Sunday - 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals - in what was the third day of a four-day truce. As part of the truce, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The hostages ranged in age from four to 84 and included Abigail Edan, a four-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war on October 7. Some hostages were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt and one was reportedly airlifted directly to a hospital.
Read more: Hamas hands over another group of hostages as part of ceasefire deal (Evening Standard)
2. Tommy Robinson arrested at march
English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested by police after he tried to join Sunday's antisemitism march in London. Police said a 40-year-old man had been arrested close to the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday.
There had been fears that Robinson, who was seen among crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during ceasefire protests in London on Armistice Day, could disrupt the protest, prompting organisers to warn he would not be welcome. In a statement the Met said: "As a result he was spoken to and warned on more than one occasion that his continued presence in the area was likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to others. He was directed to leave the area but refused to do so.”
Read more: Tommy Robinson arrested at march against antisemitism in London (Guardian)
3. Johnson's family at antisemitism march
Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie and sister Rachel Johnson were among high-profile figures who joined tens of thousands of people in an antisemitism march, which was addressed by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
Speaking to GB News, Johnson compared antisemitism with "an old spore of a virus". He said: "Whatever the rights and wrongs of what Israel has done, or is doing, I think that the antisemitism that we’ve seen in some of these marches around western Europe and further afield has really confirmed for me the absolute necessity, the human necessity, for Israel to exist."
Read more: Boris Johnson brings family to march against anti-Semitism (Telegraph)
4. Attackers seize Israel-linked tanker
On Sunday, attackers seized a tanker linked to Israel, off the coast of Yemen. The incident was the latest in a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to reports, the tanker appeared to have been boarded by eight unidentified gunmen travelling on two boats.
The Liberian-flagged Central Park, which is managed by Zodiac Maritime, was seized in the Gulf of Aden, the company and private intelligence firm Ambrey said, with Zodiac calling it a "suspected piracy incident". An anonymous American defense official also confirmed to the Associated Press that the attack had taken place.
Read more: Attackers seize an Israel-linked tanker off Yemen in a third such assault during Israel-Hamas war (AP)
5. Israel criticises Varadkar over comments
Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar was criticised by Israel for saying nine-year-old Irish-Israeli schoolgirl Emily Hand, who was freed at the weekend as part of the handover of hostages, was "lost and has now been found". Video footage issued by the Israel Defence Forces showed her running into her father Thomas’s arms at a location in Israel after 50 days in captivity in Gaza.
Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen hit out Varadkar's statement, writing on social media: "Mr Prime Minister. It seems you have lost your moral compass and need a reality check!” Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, said on social media. Emily Hand was not ‘lost’, she was kidnapped by a terror organisation (sic) worse than ISIS that murdered her stepmother."
Read more: Israel criticises Leo Varadkar for comments on release of nine-year-old Hamas hostage (Telegraph)
Where is Gaza?
Gaza, also known as the Gaza Strip, is a densely-populated Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, north-east of the Sinai Peninsula.
Bound by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south, it is just 25 miles long and six miles wide.
Gaza is one of two Palestinian territories. The other is the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
