Palestine News Today: UK Weighs Expelling Israeli Diplomats as Gaza Blockade Tightens
6 October 2026. Britain is locked in a diplomatic row with Israel over the closure of the East Jerusalem consulate, while the Green Party's conference vote on Zionism continues to reverberate at home. Meanwhile in Gaza and the West Bank, aid groups and Palestinian officials report deepening humanitarian catastrophe, further demolitions and ongoing deadly violence.
UK threatens to expel 27 Israeli diplomats
According to a report cited by Middle East Eye and Anadolu Agency, the UK has warned Israel it will expel 27 Israeli diplomats from the London embassy unless Israel reverses its decision to close the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem. The warning was reportedly delivered to Israeli authorities by the British ambassador. Israel's foreign minister had announced the consulate closure last month in retaliation for a UK ban on trade with Israeli settlements.
Sources: Middle East Eye, Anadolu Agency
Green Party conference votes Zionism a form of racism
Delegates at the UK Green Party's conference in Brighton passed a motion declaring Zionism racism by 1,022 votes to 813, Middle East Eye and the Guardian report. The vote, carried in the absence of party leader Zack Polanski, has caused controversy, with the head of the Jewish Greens saying she may leave the party and that she considers the motion unhelpful. Democracy Now! also noted the vote among its daily headlines.
Sources: Middle East Eye, The Guardian, The Guardian, Democracy Now!
MSF says Gaza being 'progressively asphyxiated'
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Israel is continuing a genocide in Gaza through the progressive asphyxiation of the territory, according to Middle East Monitor. The humanitarian organisation highlighted inadequate health services, with patients struggling to access care at hospitals such as Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
82% of Gaza's buildings damaged, agency finds
The Palestinian statistics agency has found that 82% of buildings across the Gaza Strip have been damaged in Israel's assault, Middle East Monitor reports. Displaced families are reported to be living in makeshift tents around damaged structures, including near the heavily bombed Islamic University in Gaza City.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
Israeli army tightens Gaza blockade with trench and embankment
Israel's military is reportedly reinforcing its blockade of Gaza by building a wide trench and earthen embankment along the border, Middle East Monitor reports, citing Israeli media. The outlet said this is occurring alongside continued targeted killings. Separately, Netanyahu was reported by Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor to have threatened further assassinations in Gaza, as Israel's president warned of deep internal divisions ahead of an election later this month.
Sources: Middle East Monitor, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor
West Bank violence leaves one Palestinian dead, several hurt
One Palestinian was killed and five others injured in separate Israeli army and settler attacks across the West Bank, according to Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a vehicle near Hebron, while settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Jenin. Anadolu Agency separately reported eight Palestinians injured and homes, livestock sheds and vehicles damaged in further attacks, while Middle East Eye reported Israeli forces raided Qalqilyah with military reinforcements.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye
Israeli army demolishes Hebron-area home and Birzeit University memorial
Israeli forces demolished a residential building housing two Palestinian families in Khallet al-Dairat, south of Hebron, Middle East Monitor reports. Separately, the outlet said Israeli forces demolished a memorial at Birzeit University near Ramallah and arrested 12 Palestinians during raids across the West Bank.
Sources: Middle East Monitor, Middle East Monitor
Former European officials urge EU action on settlements
A group of former European diplomats and ministers has called on the European Union to take action against illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, Middle East Monitor reports. The appeal comes as Israeli authorities continue construction activity on settlement projects in areas including Maale Arugot.
Sources: Middle East Monitor
Rights defender Issa Amro detained by Israeli army after settler attack
Palestinian human rights advocate Issa Amro, founder of Youth Against Settlements, was detained at an Israeli military base for seven hours after trying to help a family attacked by armed settlers near Hebron, Democracy Now! reports. Amro said that when Israeli soldiers arrived at the farmhouse, they ignored the settlers and instead targeted the Palestinians present, including himself.
Sources: Democracy Now!
Palestine News is published every day on Free Palestine Store. Each item recaps reporting from the named outlets in our own words; follow the source links for full coverage.
