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Israel has escalated its attacks on medical workers in Lebanon, with a recent 'quadruple tap' killing four medics and wounding six others. The attacks, which have been condemned by the Lebanese health ministry and the World Health Organization, have left healthcare workers in Lebanon feeling vulnerable and under attack.The 'quadruple tap' occurred when Israeli forces targeted an initial airstrike site, then hit the ambulances and medical workers who responded to the scene, and finally struck again twice more. This tactic has been criticized as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, which protects medical workers and facilities.The Lebanese health ministry has accused Israel of deliberately targeting ambulance crews, stating that 'paramedics have become direct targets, pursued relentlessly in a blatant violation that confirms a total disregard for all norms and principles established by international humanitarian law.'The attacks have resulted in the deaths of 91 healthcare workers and the wounding of 214 others in Lebanon since the Israel-Hezbollah war started on March 2. The World Health Organization has called for the immediate protection of healthcare facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients.The Israeli military has not provided justification for its repeated attacks on medical infrastructure and workers, apart from accusing Hezbollah of using ambulances and hospitals to transport fighters and weapons, without providing evidence for the claim.

Roberto De Zerbi, the new head coach of Tottenham, recently apologized for his past comments about Mason Greenwood, a forward he managed at Marseille. De Zerbi's apology was seen as insufficient by some, as it focused on his self-description rather than taking accountability for his words. Greenwood had denied charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022, and the case was discontinued. The conversation around De Zerbi and Greenwood has brought the issue of male violence against women back to the center of football's public discourse. Research has shown that men who perpetrate serious harm rarely identify themselves as perpetrators, and instead displace blame onto the victim, alcohol, or circumstance. This is why character references, although sincerely offered, are often inadequate in addressing the issue. Male violence against women is not an isolated issue, but rather a product of societal norms that shape what is seen, named, and tolerated. The World Health Organization and decades of academic research on gender and masculinity have consistently identified these norms as the root cause of the problem. Football is not immune to this issue, and research has shown that strong group cultures in sport can inhibit men from speaking up against harmful behavior. Men in positions of power, such as De Zerbi, have a responsibility to use their platform to speak out against male violence and to educate others about the impact of their behavior. Genuine ownership and accountability require men to name what was wrong with their actions, accept the impact of their behavior, and commit to not repeating it. De Zerbi's response fell short of this standard, and instead offered a character reference for himself. Football has a unique influence on society, particularly among young men, and it is essential that players, managers, and clubs use this influence to shape positive attitudes and behaviors. The heat generated by this incident has put male violence against women on the front pages of sports coverage, and it is crucial that the game uses this momentum to have a serious conversation about what it teaches, tolerates, and expects of men at every level.

The UK's reliance on glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has come under fire from campaigners who argue that its use has spiralled out of control. Glyphosate, known for its effectiveness in killing weeds, has been linked to various health risks, including cancer, and environmental damage.Originally pioneered by Scottish farmers in the 1980s to dry crops before harvest, the use of glyphosate has expanded globally. In the UK, over 2,200 tonnes of glyphosate were applied in 2024, with more than half used on wheat and other cereals. This represents a 10-fold increase in usage over the past three decades.Despite the World Health Organization classifying glyphosate as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' in 2015, its use has remained high. Bayer, the manufacturer, maintains that its herbicides do not cause cancer, but this stance is contested by many health and environmental organizations.Campaigners, including Nick Mole of Pesticide Action Network UK, are urging the government to phase out and ultimately ban glyphosate, citing its links to a range of cancers and other life-threatening diseases, as well as its impact on the environment. They argue that safer, more sustainable alternatives are available and should be adopted by farmers and local councils.However, some agricultural experts, like Helen Metcalfe of Rothamsted Research, suggest that glyphosate is used differently in the UK compared to the US, where genetically modified crops are involved. The shift towards 'regenerative' farming practices has contributed to the increased use of glyphosate, as it helps protect soil health and prevent erosion.The debate over glyphosate's safety and environmental impact continues, with the EU banning its use in pre-harvest desiccation in 2023 due to concerns about food accumulation. In the US, Bayer has offered $7.25bn to settle lawsuits alleging that Roundup, which contains glyphosate, can cause cancer. The UK government maintains that pesticide use is strictly regulated and only approved if it does not harm human or animal health or the environment.

Israel's recent bombing of a densely populated residential area near Lebanon's largest public hospital, Rafik Hariri University hospital, has resulted in at least five deaths and 50 injuries. This attack is consistent with Israel's strategy in Lebanon, where human rights organizations and medical workers report that the IDF is targeting hospitals and medics, sometimes in ambulances or first aid centers.Israel's actions in Lebanon mirror its tactics in Gaza, where hospitals and medical equipment were destroyed, and medical workers faced extraordinary challenges, including forced evacuations and threats. The Israeli military claims that Hezbollah exploits medical facilities for 'terrorist activity,' but has not provided evidence to support these claims.The consequences of these attacks are dire. According to the World Health Organization, over 90 'attacks on healthcare' have been reported in Lebanon since March 2, resulting in 137 injuries and 53 deaths. These attacks have led to a crisis of trust in healthcare systems, with patients fearing that hospitals are no longer safe.The precedent set in Gaza and now Lebanon is a dangerous one for future conflicts. When even ambulances are targeted, the rules of engagement are being distorted. The international community must hold Israel accountable for these actions, which are crimes under international law.

Mariam Sabbah, a 10-year-old Palestinian girl, lost her arm in an Israeli missile attack on Gaza and has arrived in the UK for specialist treatment. She was accompanied by her mother, Fatma Salman, and two brothers at Heathrow airport.The family was met with a warm welcome, including gifts, balloons, and bouquets. Mariam's arm was amputated after a missile tore through her family's home in Deir al-Balah. Her family had initially hoped to go to the US for treatment but was unable to due to visa restrictions.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 11,000 patients have been evacuated from Gaza, with an estimated 18,500 more in need of urgent care. The UK government had announced a medical evacuation scheme last year, which led to the arrival of Mariam and her family in the UK for privately funded specialized treatment.Aid organizations have called on the UK government to increase efforts to help evacuate critically ill and injured children from Gaza. The WHO announced on Monday that it would suspend medical evacuations after a contracted worker was killed.Mosab Nasser, co-founder of FAJR Global, stated that more lives would be lost due to the WHO's decision. The UK government scheme relies on the WHO to provide a list of patients identified as priority cases by medical specialists in Gaza.Campaigners have expressed concerns that without urgent action, more preventable illness and deaths will occur. Since October 2023, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have assisted the most number of patients medically evacuated from Gaza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended medical evacuations from Gaza to Egypt after a contract worker was killed by Israeli fire. The incident occurred on Monday, and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his devastation over the confirmation of the worker's death.The WHO did not elaborate on the incident but stated that it was under investigation by the relevant authorities. Two staff members who were present during the incident were not injured. The medical evacuation of patients from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt, which had been planned for Monday, was suspended, and further evacuations will remain suspended until further notice.The Rafah crossing, which is the only crossing in Gaza that does not link to Israel, was reopened in February after a long closure by the Israeli military. This crossing is crucial for the entry of humanitarian supplies and for those in need of medical aid to leave and seek treatment abroad. The WHO has been overseeing coordination between Egypt and Israel since the opening of the Rafah crossing to facilitate those evacuations.However, crossing numbers have been far below expectations due to intense checks during the process by the Israeli authorities. Israel has also continued to limit the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory and shut the crossing in the early days of the United States-Israeli war on Iran. Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire that came into force on October 10 after two years of devastating war.Referring to the incident on Monday in which a driver of a WHO car was killed, Israel's mission in Geneva said troops identified an unmarked vehicle approaching them and posing an immediate threat and they fired warning shots in response. The vehicle continued to accelerate towards the troops, who then responded with additional fire, and a hit was identified. The incident is under review.

Majdi Aslan, a 54‑year‑old WHO driver, was killed on Monday when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle carrying World Health Organization staff in eastern Khan Younis. Several other passengers, including a WHO doctor, sustained injuries.The incident occurred near the so‑called yellow line on Salah al‑Din Street, an area that has seen near‑daily Israeli strikes since a fragile ceasefire was brokered in October. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in the renewed wave of violence.According to Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, Israeli forces fired indiscriminately at people and vehicles traveling along the road. A civilian commercial vehicle was followed by a car transporting WHO personnel; the WHO driver was hit in the head and later pronounced dead at Al‑Aqsa Hospital, while roughly seven others were wounded.WHO did not immediately confirm the victim’s employment but issued a statement saying a “critical security incident” had occurred and that medical evacuations from Gaza via the Rafah crossing were suspended with immediate effect. The organization has been coordinating limited patient transfers through Rafah since the crossing reopened earlier this year.The suspension comes as Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid entry and has repeatedly closed the Rafah crossing, especially as the broader U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran draws international focus. The halt threatens the already strained access to life‑saving treatment for thousands of injured Palestinians.Elsewhere on Monday, a Palestinian man with special needs was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Khan Younis, a drone strike in Gaza City claimed a 36‑year‑old civilian, and two more Palestinians died in drone attacks on the Yarmouk and Shujayea neighborhoods. Hospital sources say eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli air strikes outside areas under Israeli control since Sunday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced that they, along with their backers Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, have launched a coordinated attack on Israel. The assault involved a barrage of cruise missiles and drones aimed at several vital and military sites belonging to Israel. The attack was confirmed by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, who stated that the operation was a show of solidarity with the Palestinians. This development marks a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict, drawing in multiple actors from the region. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been involved in the conflict since March 28, when they officially joined the war in support of Iran. They have previously targeted Israel and disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians during the Israeli war on Gaza. In related developments, Israeli officials reported that the bodies of four people killed in an Iranian strike on a residential building in Haifa had been recovered. This comes as Israel continues to target Hezbollah in Lebanon, with recent strikes hitting Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in the country's south. The Israeli military has been pounding Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah terror targets. On Sunday, Israel struck two Amana petrol stations controlled by Hezbollah, which served as significant financial infrastructure for the group. In south Lebanon, four people were killed in a raid on a car in Kfar Rumman. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that an Israeli attack killed a paramedic from the Hezbollah-allied Risala Scout Association on Monday. Two paramedics from the Islamic Health Committee were also killed in an Israeli strike a day earlier. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 92 attacks on health facilities, medical vehicles, personnel, and warehouses in the region. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Lebanon reporting 1,497 people killed since the war erupted, including 57 health workers. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing strikes and counter-strikes threatening to expand the conflict further.

At least ten displaced Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded, including six in critical condition, after Israeli drones launched two missiles near a school housing refugees in the central Gaza Maghazi refugee camp, health officials reported. The strike occurred amid clashes between residents and an Israeli‑backed militia that had allegedly attempted to abduct people from the school. Witnesses said the militia’s leader later claimed to have killed five Hamas members, a statement that could not be independently verified. According to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the victims were struck east of the camp, where residents were trying to defend their homes. "The residents tried to defend their homes, but the occupation forces targeted them directly," said Ahmed al‑Maghazi to Reuters. The Maghazi camp, once one of the smallest Palestinian refugee enclaves with roughly 30,000 residents, has seen its population more than triple since the war began, according to UNRWA. Despite being designated by the Israeli military as a "safe zone," the area has suffered multiple lethal attacks, including a December 2023 strike that killed over 100 civilians, primarily women and children. Earlier on the same day, a World Health Organization (WHO) staff member was killed and several others injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a WHO vehicle, underscoring the broader risk to humanitarian personnel in the region. The latest incident highlights the fragility of ceasefire arrangements reached in October and raises urgent questions about the protection of civilians in areas purportedly shielded from conflict.