Herald section
The latest reporting from across the Belfast Herald news desks.
Thousands protested in Malmö, Sweden, against Israel's inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Greta Thunberg among attendees. Demonstrators cited the Israel-Hamas war and called for a ceasefire.
Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza, but the UN reported no humanitarian aid has entered. The closure followed a Hamas rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers near the crossing.
Israeli forces advanced to the outskirts of Rafah amid reports of intense combat. The military confirmed the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing, though aid delivery remains blocked.
John Swinney has been elected First Minister of Scotland following a parliamentary vote, securing 64 votes in favour and seven abstentions from the Scottish Greens.
At least 27 people are killed by Israeli airstrikes in Rafah.
Israeli military units entered Rafah and took control of the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt, according to Palestinian and Egyptian officials. The move followed targeted strikes and an evacuation order for 100,000 Palestinians.
Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Israel rejected the deal as not meeting core demands but confirmed it would continue negotiations in Cairo.
Israel directed about 100,000 people to evacuate eastern Rafah for a limited military operation, citing the need to target Hamas fighters. The move follows Israeli air strikes that killed at least 19 Palestinians and closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing.