UN chief ‘alarmed’ as Israel launches major ground offensive in Gaza – Middle East crisis live

<p>United Nations secretary general António Guterres called on Saturday for a permanent and immediate ceasefire </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/16/israel-launches-major-offensive-in-gaza-after-airstrikes-that-killed-more-than-100">Israel launches major offensive in Gaza</a></li></ul><p>An <strong>Iraqi</strong> political official, speaking to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said that <strong>Iran</strong>’s <strong>al-Quds</strong> force commander <strong>Esmail Ghaani</strong> had paid a visit to <strong>Baghdad</strong> prior to the <strong>Arab League</strong> summit and “conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations” for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.</p><p>The <strong>Arab League</strong> is meeting in <strong>Baghdad</strong> on Saturday to discuss <strong>Gaza</strong> and other regional crises, but some leaders are expected to miss the talks that come straight after <strong>US</strong> president <strong>Donald Trump</strong>’s <strong>Gulf</strong> tour.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/may/17/israel-gaza-war-new-offensive-netanyahu-hamas-trump-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>