Britain is on the verge of securing its most significant realignment with the European Union since Brexit, aiming for enhanced cooperation on trade and defence to stimulate economic growth and reinforce continental security.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former supporter of remaining in the EU, is betting that the practical advantages of closer EU ties will outweigh criticism from Brexit hardliners such as Reform UK’s Nigel Farage. The upcoming London summit is expected to mark a pivotal moment in UK-EU relations, with Starmer advocating for a modernized partnership that reflects a changed global landscape.

Central to the new agreement will be a defence and security pact, which could open the door for British defence firms to participate in the EU’s €150 billion European rearmament initiative. This strategic pivot comes in response to global shifts triggered by Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which have compelled many nations to reassess their defence and trade alliances.

Recently, Britain finalized a comprehensive trade deal with India and secured limited tariff relief from the United States. Simultaneously, the EU has accelerated its own outreach, pursuing trade agreements with India and deepening strategic ties with partners like Canada, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.

Negotiations between the UK and EU extended into Sunday night ahead of Monday’s high-profile summit in London, which will feature European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. While progress has been made, an EU diplomat cautioned that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”

Key UK priorities include significantly reducing border checks and simplifying paperwork for food and agricultural exports. Additionally, the UK is seeking access to EU fast-track e-gates at airports—a move likely to be well-received by British travellers.

In return, Britain may agree to a limited youth mobility scheme and could also rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme. France, meanwhile, is pushing for a long-term agreement on fishing rights—an emotionally charged issue from the Brexit era.

Navigating a Divided Legacy

The 2016 Brexit referendum laid bare deep divisions in British society—over migration, sovereignty, culture, and trade—plunging the country into a period of political instability. In the years since, Britain has seen five prime ministers come and go, with relations with Brussels repeatedly strained.

Although polling now suggests many Britons regret leaving the EU, there is little appetite to formally rejoin. Starmer’s political space is further constrained by Farage’s resurgence, as Reform UK tops some recent opinion polls.

However, Starmer’s more conciliatory posture, free from the baggage of previous Brexit confrontations, has helped restore goodwill with EU leaders. His rapport with French President Emmanuel Macron, grounded in shared support for Ukraine, has further bolstered UK-EU relations.

Balancing Pragmatism and Politics

While Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union, he is pursuing targeted improvements in market access. This selective approach faces resistance from Brussels, which is wary of “cherry-picking” EU benefits without full obligations.

For example, easing restrictions on food trade will likely require Britain to accept EU oversight on standards. Starmer is expected to argue that such concessions are worthwhile if they help reduce food prices and stimulate economic growth.

Any long-term agreement on fishing rights is bound to provoke backlash from Farage, while the opposition Conservative Party has derided Monday’s summit as a “surrender summit.”

Still, some trade experts believe the government is right to “break the taboo” of aligning with EU rules, especially if it supports farmers and small businesses. Greater cooperation on defence adds reciprocity to the deal and reflects the geopolitical reality of an increasingly unstable world.

“With trade disruption being both visible and significant, reducing friction with the UK’s largest trading partner is a logical move,” said Allie Renison, a former UK government trade advisor now with consultancy SEC Newgate.

A series of Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis overnight into Thursday, killing at least 54 people in what marks the second consecutive night of intense bombardment. Another strike in northern Gaza claimed over a dozen more lives, according to local authorities.

The escalation comes as U.S. President Donald Trump embarks on a regional tour of the Middle East, visiting several Gulf countries but not Israel. Hopes had circulated that his visit might lead to renewed ceasefire negotiations or humanitarian relief for Gaza, where an Israeli blockade has now persisted for three months.

An Associated Press cameraman recorded at least 10 separate strikes in Khan Younis and witnessed numerous bodies being brought to the morgue at Nasser Hospital. Due to the severity of the injuries, identifying the dead took significant time. The hospital confirmed that 54 individuals had been killed.

Among the deceased was journalist Hasan Samour of Al Araby TV, reportedly killed with 11 family members during the bombardment.

The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement regarding the strikes.

This follows Wednesday’s heavy bombardment, which killed at least 70 people across northern and southern Gaza, including nearly two dozen children. In northern Gaza’s Jabaliya area, a strike hit a complex that included a mosque and a medical clinic, killing 13, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense agency.

At Nasser Hospital, the aftermath of the strike was marked by grief and devastation. Safaa Al-Najjar, bloodied and inconsolable, received the shrouded bodies of her two youngest children — Motaz (1.5 years) and Moaz (1.5 months). Her five other children, aged 3 to 12, were injured, and her husband remained in intensive care.

“My day was normal. I fed them and put them to sleep. Then everything collapsed,” she cried. “What was their fault?”

Outside the hospital, the community gathered in mourning. Rows of white body bags were laid out before being transported for burial.

Israel Promises Further Escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to intensifying military operations in Gaza, aiming to destroy Hamas. He stated earlier this week that Israeli forces would soon move “with great strength” to complete their mission.

Human Rights Watch issued a statement Thursday warning that Israel’s stated intentions and military actions are “inching closer to extermination,” urging international intervention.

The war, which began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023, has since claimed over 53,000 Palestinian lives—many of them women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Of these, nearly 3,000 have died since a ceasefire collapsed on March 18.

In the last 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza have received 82 bodies, including the 54 from Khan Younis, pushing the official death toll to 53,010 and the number of wounded to 119,998.

Hamas continues to hold 58 hostages from the October 7 attack, with 23 believed to be alive. Israeli authorities have expressed growing concern about their condition.

European Hospital in Gaza Ceases Operations

Israeli strikes have also incapacitated the European Hospital in Khan Younis—the only cancer treatment facility in Gaza—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The hospital suffered severe infrastructure damage in two Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly targeted a Hamas command center beneath the facility.

Hospital director Imad al-Hout said that all 200 patients were gradually evacuated, with the last 90 transferred on Wednesday morning. The shutdown has also suspended cardiac surgeries and other critical treatments.

Aid Blockade Enters Third Month

On Thursday, Palestinians in northern Gaza gathered desperately in bombarded areas in search of food. At a charity kitchen in Beit Lahia, crowds queued for hours with empty containers, hoping for a meal of vegetable soup. Many, like Um Abed and her family of 20, left empty-handed for the second consecutive day.

“My 3-year-old cries all day from hunger,” she said, holding up her pot. “We want the war to stop and food to be allowed in.”

Israel’s ongoing blockade—now in its third month—has left 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, often repeatedly. Since March 2, Israel has halted all aid, including food and medicine, prompting warnings of imminent famine from international food security experts.

Nearly 500,000 Palestinians face starvation, with 1 million more experiencing severe food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

Despite this, Israeli spokesperson David Mencer denied a food shortage, blaming Hamas for withholding supplies. Human Rights Watch has called Israel’s actions, including destruction of civilian infrastructure and obstruction of aid, as warranting action under the Genocide Convention. They also urged Hamas to release remaining hostages.

Israel has consistently denied accusations of genocide.