The Times of Israel is liveblogging Sunday’s events as they unfold.
4 Iranians among 5 arrested in UK for ‘terrorism offences’
British police say they have arrested five men, including four Iranians, on suspicion of “terrorism offenses.”
The arrests were carried out in London, Swindon and the Greater Manchester area and were related to “a suspected plot to target a specific premises,” London’s Metropolitan Police says in a statement.
Hitting back, Qatar says PM portraying Gaza op as ‘defense of civilization’ echoes dark regimes of old
After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares in a statement on his official X account that it’s time for Qatar to “decide if it’s on the side of civilization or… Hamas barbarism,” Doha hits back that the premier’s portrayal of the IDF’s ongoing military operation in Gaza “as a defense of ‘civilization'” echoes the justifications of dark regimes throughout history.
“Portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of ‘civilization’ echoes the rhetoric of regimes throughout history that have used false narratives to justify crimes against innocent civilians,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari says.
Recalling Qatar’s extensive role in hostage deal negotiations, the spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, says that “a legitimate question must be raised.”
“Were the releases of no fewer than 138 hostages achieved through so-called ‘just’ military operations, or through the very mediation that is now being unjustly criticized and undermined?” he asks.
“Meanwhile, the Palestinian people in Gaza are enduring one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of modern times—marked by a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion,” Ansari continues. “Is this truly the model of ‘civilization’ being promoted?
He stresses that Qatar will continue to work with both Egypt and the US to secure a long-lasting ceasefire and hostage release deal, and to “advance a just and lasting peace — one grounded in justice and humanity, not violence and double standards.”
The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility. Portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of “civilization”…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) May 3, 2025
Report: Netanyahu forced to cancel Azerbaijan visit because Turkey barred him from airspace
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not forced to cancel his planned visit to Azerbaijan because of regional developments and a “tight political and security schedule,” as his office had said, but because Turkey refuses to allow the Wing of Zion state airplane to pass through its airspace, the Walla news site reports.
According to the report, the Prime Minister’s Office examined the possibility of traveling to Baku on an alternate flight route, namely over Greece and Bulgaria, but decided against doing so as the flight time would almost double.
This would not mark the first time that Turkey’s increasingly sour relations with Israel have reportedly interrupted senior officials’ travel plans.
In November 2024, President Isaac Herzog canceled his planned visit to the United Nations COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan at the last minute, citing “security considerations” as the reason.
Reports at the time suggested, however, that the real reason for the cancellation was because Turkey had refused to allow Wing of Zion to fly through its airspace.
Direct flight routes from Israel to Azerbaijan are limited, as most require flying over Turkey, or alternatively, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.
Egyptian security source: 2 Israelis sentenced to 5 years in jail for assaulting hotel staff in Taba
An Egyptian court has sentenced two Israeli citizens to five years in jail for assaulting hotel workers in the Red Sea town of Taba near the border with Israel last year, an Egyptian security source says.
In August, three Arab Israeli tourists and two Egyptian hotel workers were injured when a fight broke out at a hotel after one of the tourists insulted one of the employees, security sources said at the time.
A video of the clash posted to social media at the time of the incident showed over a dozen people milling about and trading blows amid shouting and screams from others. One man was hit in the head from behind and then collapsed on the ground, while others rushed to help him.
According to media reports citing sources familiar with the incident, the Israelis refused to pay for alcohol and services they received.
סרטון נוסף מטאבה: קטטה בין צעירים מנצרת לעובדי מלון מצריים מביאה ל-6 פצועים ומעצרים. pic.twitter.com/jaxrDmuArM
— כל החדשות בזמן אמת (@Saher_News_24_7) August 30, 2024
Israeli strikes in Syria ‘hinder’ peace efforts and regional stability, UAE says
The United Arab Emirates “strongly condemns” recent Israeli strikes in Syria, which have come amid deadly sectarian violence against the country’s Druze minority.
In a statement published online, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the country has “condemned in the strongest terms the continuous Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to Syria’s unity, stability and territorial integrity.
“These attacks are in violation of Syria’s sovereignty and in contravention of international law,” the statement continues, adding that the ministry has “underscored the UAE’s categorical rejection of such practices, which threaten further escalation and tension in the region, and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability.”
Netanyahu: Time has come for Qatar to stop playing both sides in hostage talks
On his official X account, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasts Qatar, one of the three countries serving as a mediator between Israel and Hamas on hostage talks.
“Israel is fighting a just war with just means,” writes Netanyahu. “After the October 7 atrocities, Prime Minister Netanyahu defined the War of Redemption as a war between civilization and barbarism.”
“The time has come for Qatar to stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of Hamas barbarism. Israel will win this just war with just means.”
Anonymous Israeli officials have been telling journalists recently that Qatar is urging Hamas not to accept the terms of an Egyptian compromise deal, telling the group it should hold out for better terms.
Qatar denies the allegations.
Israel is fighting a just war with just means. After the October 7 atrocities, Prime Minister Netanyahu defined the War of Redemption as a war between civilization and barbarism.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 3, 2025