Tensions Escalate in Middle East: UK Condemns Travel Ban, Israel Conducts Airstrikes Amidst Ongoing Conflict

The head of the British Foreign Office, David Lammy, has condemned Israel's refusal to allow two British parliamentarians to enter the country. Lammy described the denial of entry as "unacceptable" and expressed "deep concern" over the incident, which occurred on April 5. On March 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes against targets of the Palestinian radical Islamic movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where a ceasefire had been in effect since January 19. Subsequently, on March 19, Israel launched a ground operation with the stated goal of increasing pressure on Hamas to release prisoners. According to The Times of Israel, citing Palestinian media, at least nine people were killed in Gaza as a result of recent IDF strikes. The situation in the Middle East has sharply escalated since October 7, 2023, following a large-scale attack on Israel by Hamas. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, resulting in over 49,000 Palestinian deaths and over 111,000 injuries, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. Lebanese radical Shiite movement Hezbollah has supported Palestinian militants. Hezbollah regularly shells Israel from Lebanon. The IDF conducted a military operation against it on the Lebanese border but later announced the withdrawal of troops from the territory of the neighboring country.