As Israel launches a new offensive in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares the goal is full control of the Strip, a move that could signal the war’s final phase. We speak to The Telegraph’s David Blair about what this means for Israel’s military strategy, international support, and the deepening humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, Britain and the EU sign a new trade and defence pact that could open the door to billions in European defence funding — and as centrists outperform expectations in European elections, questions rise over whether the populist wave is finally losing steam.