BERLIN, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Several people are missing after two freighters collided near the German North Sea island of Heligoland, the central command for maritime emergencies said on Tuesday.
The Polesie and Verity vessels collided at around 0300 GMT about 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) southwest of Heligoland, likely causing the Verity to sink, central command said in a statement.
One person was rescued from the water and is receiving medical treatment, while several others are still missing, it added.
The rescue operation includes a rescue cruiser, police boats, a sensor aircraft and a helicopter, among other vessels.
The Polesie, which was carrying 22 passengers, is still waterborne, according to the authorities.
The Verity was on its way from Bremen to the English town of Immingham. The Polesie was sailing from Hamburg to La Coruna in Spain.
Writing by Friederike Heine
Editing by Miranda Murray and Rachel More
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Footage posted online apparently showed the chant being led over the train's speaker system.
The words "free, free" could be heard and passengers responded "Palestine" - a popular chant at protests.
TfL said the driver was suspended while full investigations were under way.
Glynn Barton, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "We have been urgently and thoroughly investigating the footage appearing to show a Tube driver misusing the PA system and leading chants on a Central line train on Saturday.
"A driver has now been identified and suspended whilst we continue to fully investigate the incident in line with our policies and procedures."
The chant was criticised by minister for London Paul Scully who said Tube staff should "focus on the day job" and warned against stoking tension in the capital.
The Israeli Embassy said: "It is deeply troubling to see such intolerance on London's Tubes … public transport should be a place of safety and inclusivity for all."
UK intelligence services have concluded that the deadly blast at al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza was caused by a rocket fired by a Palestinian militant group rather than by an Israeli airstrike, Rishi Sunak has told MPs.
In a Commons statement after his trip last week to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the prime minister stressed the UK’s support for Israel but warned against actions that could undermine an eventual two-state solution, including a viable Palestine.
Sunak said that based on intelligence and weapons analysis, the UK government “judges that the explosion was likely caused by a missile or part of one that was launched from within Gaza towards Israel”.
He criticised some media outlets for initially reporting that the blast appeared to have been caused by Israel, saying this “had a negative effect in the region, including on a vital US diplomatic effort and on tensions here at home”.
Sunak also stressed the need for a two-state solution and said the UK would provide £20m in aid to Gaza.
While saying that there was “no scenario” in which Hamas could be allowed to control part or all of a Palestinian state, Sunak said the idea of two viable states had to be sustained.
“Our support for a two-state solution is highly valued across the region, but it can’t be a cliched talking point to roll out at times like this,” he said.
“The truth is that in recent years, energy has moved into other avenues like the Abraham Accords and normalisation talks with Saudi Arabia.
“We support those steps absolutely and believe that they can bolster wider efforts. But we must never lose sight of how essential the two-state solution is. So we will work together with our international partners to bring renewed energy and creativity to this effort.”
He added: “It will rely on establishing more effective governance for Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank, it will also mean challenging actions that undercut legitimate aspirations for Palestinian statehood.”
Responding to Sunak’s statement, the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, also stressed the need for a two-state solution. “Even as we stand by Israel in her fight against Hamas, our eyes must also look to the future – a future where Israeli citizens live free from the fear of terrorist attacks and a future for the Palestinian people where they and their children enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we take for granted,” he said.
Following significant pushback within Labour after comments where he said Israel “has the right” to withhold power and water from Gaza, Starmer was particularly vocal about the need for restraint.
“This operation can and must be done within international law,” the Labour leader told MPs. “We democracies know that all human life is equal. Innocent lives must be protected. These are the principles that differentiates us from the terrorists who target Israel.
“So there must now be clear humanitarian corridors within Gaza for those escaping violence. Civilians must not be targeted, and where Palestinians are forced to flee they must not be permanently displaced from their homes. International law is clear.
“It also means basic services including water, electricity and fuel needed for it cannot be denied. Hamas may not care for the safety and security of the Palestinian people. But we do. We cannot and will not close our eyes to their suffering.”
Welcoming the extra UK aid for Gaza, Starmer called for it to be tripled overall, as well as the appointment of a UK coordinator for international aid to Gaza.
US intelligence has already said Washington believes the hospital blast last Wednesday was most likely because of a failed rocked fired by the militant group Islamic Jihad.
The Hamas-ruled territory has said 471 people were killed. US intelligence estimates put the toll at between 100 and 300 people, while saying this assessment could change.
Elbit Systems, the company that developed the system, said in a 2021 press release that the weapon uses a “precise, laser and GPS guided mortar munition” to engage targets in dense, urban environments while “reducing the possibility of collateral damage and preventing injury to non-combatants."
The company added: "Its operational use will revolutionize ground warfare and equip battalions with organic, accurate, and effective firepower."
In response to Hamas' brutal attack on Israel, the country has heavily bombarded Gaza.
Hamas's armed wing, the al Qassam Brigades, released a statement saying: "Fighters engaged with the infiltrating force, destroying two bulldozers and a tank and forced the Israeli forces to withdraw before they returned safely to base."
The IDF has also raised the number of people they believe Hamas has as hostages from 199 to 222.
A second aid convoy has entered Gaza after the US said Israel's leader has agreed to a "continued flow" of supplies into the territory.
It comes as an Israeli soldier was killed by an anti-tank missile on Sunday during a raid into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Another was moderately injured, and two were lightly injured as a result of the incident, according to the Israeli military.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have been carrying out small raids across the Gaza Strip to clear the area ahead of an expected ground invasion and gather intelligence about missing people and captives held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, the first aid convoy of 20 trucks finally crossed from Egypt on Saturday and 14 more followed on Sunday.
Israel's airstrikes and blockade have led to dire conditions, with food and water running out and devastated hospitals swamped by the wounded and the dead.
Image:There were celebrations as aid trucks made the first crossing on Saturday
The United Nations has warned the 34 trucks of aid to cross the border are just a fraction of what's needed to help Gaza's two million-plus population survive and that 100 trucks a day are required.
But after a call on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden "affirmed" there will now be a "continued flow of this critical assistance", said the White House.
Israel has yet to launch its ground assault on Gaza to achieve its aim of destroying Hamas - the group that murdered some 1,400 of its people - but its airstrikes are continuing.
In other key developments: • Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of his war cabinet on Monday, • Two Palestinians were killed in the West Bank in clashes with Israeli forces, according to officials, • Israeli forces fired pre-emptive strikes at suspected Hezbollah sites near the border with Lebanon, • Hamas leaders said they had spoken Iran's foreign minister to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Fears the war could expand remain high after Israel hit several airports in Syria on Sunday, as well as a mosque in the West Bank allegedly being used by militants.
Targets across its northern border in Lebanon were also destroyed early on Monday, said Israel.
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Overcrowding at al Shifa Hospital
Jets fired at two Hezbollah "terrorist squads" - one adjacent to the Israeli town of Mattat and the other further north in the Shebaa Farms area.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was a pre-emptive attack as they suspected rockets and anti-tank missiles would be launched from the sites.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, has been trading fire with Israel since the terror attack, forcing many communities to evacuate.
Netanyahu threatens to 'cripple' Hezbollah
President Netanyahu has warned he will destroy the group if it decides to join the war.
Visiting troops in the north on Sunday, he warned Hezbollah against making "the mistake of its life".
"We will cripple it with a force it cannot even imagine and the consequences for it and the Lebanese state are devastating," said the prime minister.
Hamas, meanwhile, said in a statement on Sunday that its leader and Iran's foreign minister had held a call to discuss how to stop Israel's "brutal crimes" in Gaza.
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Blast at Israel-Lebanon border interrupts interview
Israel insists it's doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties as it attacks Hamas targets in the densely packed Gaza Strip.
The number killed in the enclave is now 4,651, according to the Gaza health ministry, while a further 14,245 people have been injured.
Israeli strikes have been increasing to reduce the risk of troops in the next stage of the war, said IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
It's estimated 700,000 people have fled after Israel urged civilians to leave northern Gaza - but hundreds of thousands remain as Israel prepares for the expected ground attack.
'Chemical weapons instructions on USB drive'
It's been just over two weeks since the surprise terror attack massacred civilians in their homes, in the street and at a music festival.
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Hamas carried 'chemical weapons' info - Israeli president
The documents were shown to Sky News in an exclusive interview on Sunday evening but we are unable to independently verify the claims.
Rocket attacks on Israel are also continuing - it says 7,000 have now been fired at its territory - and Hamas said it targeted Tel Aviv again early on Sunday.
Meanwhile, many families remain unaware of their relatives' fate.
More than 200 people were taken hostage in the attack and only two are so far known to have been freed, a US mother and daughter.
Her younger sister and mother were also murdered, while her father remains missing.
Image:Noiya Sharabi (right) is confirmed to have been killed. Her sister Yahel (left) was also murdered
It brought the number of Britons killed in the attack to at least 10.
An Israeli soldier was killed and three injured during a raid inside Gaza on Sunday, said Rear Adm Hagari, highlighting how difficult it currently is to rescue hostages by force.
Diplomatic efforts will continue in Israel this week, with Dutch leader Mark Rutte due to visit on Monday and France's President Macron on Tuesday.
President Biden, who visited Israel last week, has also been continuing his push to galvanise Western support.
The US president held a call on Sunday with the Pope, and separately with the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
The White House and Downing Street said they "reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself", as well as welcoming the aid convoys and the release of the first two hostages - while urging the "immediate release" of the others.
Ursula von der Leyen needs to remember she is a “just a civil servant”, a Brussels insider has said, days after the European Commission President was accused of acting like a “queen”.
Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-chief of BrusselsReport.eu, offered his withering assessment after an unnamed Brussels official suggested the former German defence minister was “behaving like a queen” in reaction to her decision to visit Israel after the Hamas terror attacks.
Writing for Express.co.uk, Mr Cleppe, who headed up the Brussels office of award-winning British EU affairs policy think tank Open Europe for 12 years, said: “With the new outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, European Commission President von der Leyen seems to have abandoned all concern for whatever EU member states may think about the things she says abroad.
“In the first days after the terrible Hamas terror raid on Israel, she went all in, supporting Israel.
“Her actions caused a lot of tensions, not so much because of her precise stance, but because of the fact that it was clearly not in line with EU member states.
“France openly reminded von der Leyen that she was only speaking in the name of the European Commission, not necessarily of EU member states.”
When it came to the war in Ukraine, Ms von der Leyen had made similarly “assertive statements”, Mr Cleppe pointed out, albeit generally there was more consensus within the bloc on that topic.
He continued: “The whole thing reminds us all of the fact that the EU’s 27 democracies have different electorates, with different opinions on foreign policy. To reconcile these is not always evident.
“It is therefore best left to the national diplomatic services, as these are closely in touch with national Parliaments.
“Whenever a national Foreign Minister would dare to make certain moves that are not in line with the democratic majority in a member state thinks, he or she is bound to be called to provide an explanation in Parliament.”
At an EU level, such scrutiny did not exist, Mr Cleppe warned.
He explained: “The EU’s foreign service, called European External Action Service (EEAS), is mostly duplicating the work of national foreign ministries while promoting a strong common European message at best.”
Referring to the bloc’s top diplomat and the President of the European Council respectively, he said: “Ultimately, somebody should remind Ursula von der Leyen, Josep Borrell and Charles Michel that they are no longer politicians, even if they were once.
“They are now civil servants, appointed by EU member states, and very much at their service.”
Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Tuesday insisted there is a "great degree of unity" within the EU on the Israel-Hamas conflict, after earlier saying some of the comments from European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have "lacked balance".
Mr Varadkar was speaking after a meeting of the heads of government of the 27 member states with Ms von der Leyen, Mr Michel and Mr Borrell.
The Irish leader said EU countries will work together to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, with aid beginning to trickle through as of yesterday.
Speaking the meeting, Mr Varadkar said: "There is strong condemnation of Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel, its use of Palestinian civilians as human shields and taking of hostages as well.
"A lot of solidarity for France, for Belgium and for Sweden who've experienced terrorist attacks in the last couple of days and the real fear that we'll see more of that happening in Europe.”
Ms von der Leyen yesterday tweeted: "I welcome the opening of the Rafah border crossing point to Gaza for humanitarian aid.
"This is an important first step that will alleviate the suffering of innocent people.
"My thanks go to all those involved who made this possible."
