Summary
Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he begs "for forgiveness" for not being able to bring home alive the six hostages whose bodies were found in Gaza on Saturday
As he delivered his remarks, protests continued across Israel - including outside the PM's residence - aimed at forcing the government to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas
Meanwhile, the UK has announced it is suspending some export licences for military equipment to Israel
Foreign Secretary David Lammy says there is a "clear risk" that items exported to Israel might be used in "serious violations of international humanitarian law"
Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says he is "deeply disheartened" by the decision, while Foreign Minister Israel Katz says it sends a "problematic" message to Hamas
Live Reporting
Edited by Nathan Williams
Protests in Israel and the UK suspends some arms export licenses - what's happened todaypublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 2 September
20:58 BST 2 September
Image source, ReutersBefore we bring our coverage of events in Israel today to a close, let's recap what's been happening today:
- The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the UK was suspending about 30 arms export licences to Israel, Israel’s foreign minister said this “sent a very problematic message” to Iran
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country he was "begging for your forgiveness" during a press conference, for not bringing back alive the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza on Saturday
- US President Joe Biden says Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire with Hamas
- Protests have been taking place across Israel, including outside Netanyahu's residences in Jerusalem and the town of Caesarea, calling for the government to secure a hostage deal with Hamas
Is new UK government taking a more robust approach with Israel?published at 20:54 British Summer Time 2 September
20:54 BST 2 September
Chris Mason
Political editorThe decision to suspend around 30 of the current350 arms export licences to Israel is the third this still-relatively-newgovernment has taken on the Middle East conflict that is different from whatcame before.
It dropped plans to challenge the right of theInternational Criminal Court to seek an arrest warrant for Israel’s primeminister. And it restored funding for the UN agency that helps Palestinianrefugees.
The government says it’s taken each of thesedecisions on its own merits.
And it insists this decision doesn’t change itsoverall position on Israel which it describes as solid and unyielding.
But, this is a party in the last year that has hadits difficulties among some who have felt that it has not been sufficientlyrobust in the direction of Israel, and we saw that in some of the generalelection results in areas with substantial Muslim populations.
Here are now three examples the government canpoint to where it could say, if it chose to, that its approach to Israel isthat bit more sceptical.
It is 'now or never' to get a deal, family of Israeli hostage sayspublished at 20:46 British Summer Time 2 September
20:46 BST 2 September
Adi and Yael Alexander, whose Israeli-American son Edan has been held captive by Hamas since 7 October after he was kidnapped while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces near the Gaza border, say that a hostage deal currently being drafted is a "now or never proposal".
Speaking to BBC's US partner CBS News this morning, the couple criticised the Israeli government, saying they "wish to see the same dedication and commitment" from Israel as they have from the US government to get the hostages out.
"With six hostages dead, that never had to happen," says Adi.
He adds that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "prolonging the war for short-term political reasons."
"Time is passing by and we're getting more bodies out of Gaza," Adi says, calling news of the latest hostage deaths "devastating".
While Adi praised the American's dedication, he also urged them "to do something different."
"The outcome is the same after 11 months," he notes.
Biggest outpouring of anger and grief since 7 Octoberpublished at 20:39 British Summer Time 2 September
20:39 BST 2 September
Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondentWhat has changed with the deaths of six hostagesand today's general strike is the scale of grief and anger spilling on thestreets.
This is the biggest outpouring of protest since theHamas attacks of 7 October.
Israel’s most powerful trade union, Histadrutjoined forces with families of hostages to send an even louder, more urgentmessage to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritise a ceasefire in Gazato bring the remaining hostages home.
Last year Histradut played a central role in majorprotests which pushed the prime minister to suspend a controversial judicialdeal.
Emotion is palpable over the deaths of six hostagessaid to have been in the first group set to be released if the phased deal that'sbeen on the table for months had been agreed by Hamas and Israel.
Some are shouting "Netanyahu is amurderer" for not doing enough to reach a deal. But he and his backers putthe blame squarely on Hamas.
The prime minister still has solid support from hisright wing base as well as far right ministers in his cabinet to continuewaging war in Gaza until Hamas’s “destruction.”
Buthis own Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is urging him to prioritise the hostages;he’s even reported to have said Netanyahu’s talk of “total victory” over Hamaswas “nonsense.”
'This is a matter of emergency,' says hostage familypublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 2 September
20:19 BST 2 September
Image source, Efrat Machikawa/Family handoutEfrat Machikawa, whose uncle Gadi Moses is beingheld in Gaza by Hamas, says she "definitely" supports the general strike that took place earlier today, and adds: "enough is enough".
"Our prime minister has to stop everything andbring the hostages back by signing a deal and a ceasefire," she told theBBC.
Machikawa says Israel should prioritise “savinglives” and criticises Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not yetstriking a deal to bring home hostages.
“He is failing in saving the lives of his citizens.This is not personal, this is a matter of emergency, of urgency, of savinglives.”
Machikawa says she hasn't heard anything about GadiMoses and it's "really difficult", but she adds that she's"hopeful".
"Gadiis a strong man and he is a kind soul and I hope that he knows how much we aredoing here and the fact that we will never ever stop until he is back."
Protest at kibbutz targeted on 7 Octoberpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 2 September
20:02 BST 2 September
Alice Cuddy
Reporting from JerusalemImage source, HandoutEarlier I received these photos from a resident of kibbutz Be’eriin southern Israel, where residents have today joined protests callingfor the release of hostages in Gaza.
The kibbutz was one of the communities in southern Israeltargeted by Hamas on 7 October - 101 people there were killed, and 32 otherstaken hostage. Some still remain in Gaza.
Carmel Gat, one of the six hostages whose bodies wererecovered this weekend, grew up in the kibbutz and was visiting her parentsthere when she was kidnapped.
Be’eri resident Simon King said about 300 people joined theprotest from the kibbutz and the surrounding areas.
"We closed the road at 15-minute intervals and counted fromone to 101 out loud using a mic and speaker," representing each of the hostagesstill held in Gaza, he said.
Residents held up pictures of neighbours still held hostage.
Image source, HandoutImage source, HandoutStart-up founder says he's encouraging his staff to protestpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time 2 September
19:56 BST 2 September
The founder of Tel Aviv-based Electric Vehicleengine start-up EVR Motors says he has encouraged his workers to take part inthe protests against the government.
"Those who want to participate and protest,I’ve encouraged them to take the day off. We pay them and we're happy to havethem protest," Opher Doron tells the BBC World Service's World BusinessReport programme.
"I was out protesting last night till wellpast midnight with my two sons blocking one of the major highways in Tel Aviv.We are protesting tonight. We'll continue protesting for a long time, Ipresume. Until it works."
Headds that he believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants toextend the war with Hamas and that the government was spending money on"the wrong things".
'My sweet boy... you are free,' says hostage's mother at his funeralpublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 2 September
19:51 BST 2 September
The mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin says she will "miss you every single day for the rest of my life".
Speaking at his funeral today, Rachel Goldberg-Polin said she had been in "such torment and worry" about Hersh for months, adding that it was "a specifictype of misery that I have never experienced before".
"NowI no longer have to worry about you," she said. "I know you are no longer in danger."
"Sweet boy, go now on your journey. I hope it'sas good as the trips you dreamed about because finally, my sweet boy... you are free."
In pictures: Israelis gather for hostage's funeralpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 2 September
19:48 BST 2 September
Earlier today, people gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin - one of the hostages whose body was recovered by Israel on Saturday in Gaza.
His family gave speeches about him and Israel's President Isaac Herzog spoke to the mourners.
Image source, EPAImage source, ReutersImage source, EPAImage source, ReutersUK decision may be no surprise to Israel - but it will still hurtpublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 2 September
19:39 BST 2 September
James Landale
Diplomatic correspondentThis decision is more significant politically than militarily.
UK arms sales to Israel are small, just 1% of the country’sdefence imports. Only about 30 licences have been suspended out of 350.
Parts made in the UK for the F35 fighters that Israel is usingto strike targets in Gaza will not be included in the ban.
Already the government's critics are saying the suspension hasnot gone far enough. But it is still striking that one of Israel’s closestallies has judged there is a clear risk the country may use some of its arms'exports to violate international humanitarian law.
The announcement may come as no surprise to the government ofIsrael – it has been long flagged – but it will still hurt.
That is why ministers here have been expressing theirdisappointment. The Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, linked the announcement tothe UK’s decision to refund UNWRA in Gaza and give up resisting aninternational criminal court decision about issuing an arrest warrant forBenjamin Netanyahu.
The discussion about suspending arms began under the lastConservative government but it has come to a head under the new Labouradministration and it is a chillier diplomatic wind that is being noticed inJerusalem.
What's been happening?published at 19:30 British Summer Time 2 September
19:30 BST 2 September
- Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK was suspending about 30 export licences for military equipment after a government review
- The licences include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and items which help ground targeting
- Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he was "deeply disheartened" by the move
- Demonstrators are protesting near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in the town of Caesarea
- Netanyahu says he is "begging for your forgiveness" for not being able to bring back alive six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza on Saturday
- Earlier, mourners lined the streets in Jerusalem for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin - one of the six captives found dead in Gaza
Protest under way near Israeli PM's residencepublished at 19:15 British Summer Time 2 September
19:15 BST 2 September
As Netanyahu is delivering his remarks to the media, several hundred people are taking part in a protest not far from the PM's residences in Jerusalem and in the town of Caesarea.
The crowd in Caesarea is chanting "until he goes, until he takes the blame" and has swelled to thousands of people, according to the Times of Israel.
Groups such as Brothers in Arms, supporters of the Hostages and Missing Family Forum and several youth groups are present at the scene in the town.
As we've been reporting, several protests are scheduled to take place across Israel tonight.
Image source, ReutersIsrael must control Philadelphi corridor - Netanyahupublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 2 September
19:11 BST 2 September
Image source, ReutersWe're now hearing more from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who says Israel must continue to control the Philadelphi corridor in the south of Gaza.
The Philadelphi corridor is a strategically important strip of land along the border between Gaza and Egypt that has been a sticking point in negotiations towards a ceasefire and hostage deal. Hamas has accused Israel of issuing new demands for that deal, including regarding that strip of land.
Netanyahu says during a media briefing in Jerusalem that if Israel doesn't control the corridor, Hamas will "continue arming themselves and a monster will be created".
He goes on to say it is "incumbent upon us to control it".
"Hamas, therefore, stubbornly does not want us there, and forthat reason, we are stubbornly demanding that we are there because our presencethere is a strategic issue.”
Netanyahu: I am begging for your forgivenesspublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 2 September
18:45 BST 2 SeptemberBreaking
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is "begging for your forgiveness" for not being able to bring back alive the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza on Saturday.
As a reminder, demonstrations and a general strike have been taking place across Israel today to demand the government agrees to a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Speaking to the media in Jerusalem, he says "we were very close, nearly there" to bringing them home alive.
He adds: "And I would like to repeat once again this evening, Israelwill not move on to our normal agenda after that massacre. Hamas will pay avery heavy price for it."
UK-Israel relations remain close despite arms decisionpublished at 18:20 British Summer Time 2 September
18:20 BST 2 September
Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondentDavid Lammy said officials had followed a rigorous process, one begun but never completed, by the previous government.
The UK, he said, was not imposing an arms embargo or prejudging the rulings of any international court. But the government, he said, had a legal duty to review all export licences.
As a result, around 30 of the current 350 arms export licences are being suspended. They include components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and equipment involved in targeting.
Significantly, the decision is not based simply on the conduct of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza – despite the loss of civilian life and widespread destruction, the foreign secretary said there wasn’t enough reliable evidence to make a definitive conclusion that Israel had violated international humanitarian law.
Instead, the government has highlighted the lack of food and medicine reaching Gaza, and what it calls credible claims of the mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Lammy said the UK still supported Israel’s right to self defence, in accordance with international law. And he said Britain would continue to work with international partners to stand up to what he called Iranian aggression across the Middle East.
As we just reported, Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, said the suspension sent a very problematic message to Iran and Hamas. But Israeli officials knew this was coming. They also know that the licences suspended today represent a tiny fraction of Israel’s arms imports.
Relations between the two countries, in terms of military cooperation and intelligence sharing, remain close.
Israeli defence minister 'deeply disheartened' at UK decisionpublished at 18:13 British Summer Time 2 September
18:13 BST 2 September
We've just heard from Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz - now Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posts on X that he is "deeply disheartened to learn about the sanctions placed by the UK" on some arms exports.
"This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven fronts," he says, "a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza."
Image source, ReutersIsraeli minister hits out at 'series of decisions' from UKpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 2 September
18:07 BST 2 September
More now from Israel Katz, who says he is disappointed by a "series of recent decisions" from the UK, including today's suspension of some arms exports.
He also cites UK actions at the International Criminal Court, its "position regarding UNRWA [the UN agency for Palestinian refugees] as well as "recent British conduct and statements in the UN Security Council".
The foreign minister adds that Israel operates "according to international law and has an independent and respected judicial system".
He says he expects allies to recognise this all year round "especially after the execution of six Israeli hostages by Hamas", and he hopes the "deep friendship" between Britain and Israel will continue.
UK decision 'sends problematic message' to Hamas - Israel's foreign ministerpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 2 September
17:52 BST 2 SeptemberBreaking
The Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has just released a statement, in which he says the UK's decision "sends a very problematic message" to Hamas and Iran.
We'll have more from that statement soon.
UK announces more sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guardspublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 2 September
17:25 BST 2 September
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has also announced new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) force targets.
The IRGC is a major military, political and economic force in Iran, with close ties to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lammy says the four IRGC force targets have "a role in supporting Iranian proxy actions in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon".
"We've sanctioned over 400 Iranian individuals and entities and through our work with partners we are exposing and containing Iran's destabilising weapons development," he says, adding "we will continue to work with Israel and our partners to tackle the threat from Iran across the region."
UK is not a major supplier of arms to Israelpublished at 17:16 British Summer Time 2 September
17:16 BST 2 September
Israel has relied on imported aircraft, bombs and missiles to conduct its war with Hamas.
Some campaigners and politicians among Israel's Western allies say those exports should be suspended because, they say, Israel is not doing enough to protect civilian lives in Gaza.
The UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, external prevents weapons sales "if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law".
Israel insists its forces work to avoid civilian casualties, and accuses Hamas of deliberately putting civilians in the line of fire.
