UK, France and Germany urge Israel to implement UN winter plan in Gaza

Countries call for aid to be allowed in, as well as access to fuel and infrastructure repairs

People inspects a camp for internally displaced people destroyed during an air strike near the village of Harbnush, north of Idlib, Syria. AP

People mourn relatives killed in a reported Syrian regime air strike on Wadi Khaled camp at the SAMS Hospital in Maarat Misrin, a town in Syria's northern Idlib governorate. AFP

Displaced Syrian Kurds ride in the back of a vehicle loaded with belongings on the Aleppo-Raqqa motorway to flee areas on the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo after they were seized by Islamist-led rebels. AFP

Medics inspect the damaged Ibn Sina Hospital following a Russian air strike, in Idlib, northern Syria. EPA

Militants gather at the Nayrab military airport, in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. AFP

Syrian military aircraft are among the equipment at the airport. Militants have taken control of large parts of Aleppo. AFP

A militant patrols outside the airport. The offensive has resulted in Russian air strikes on Syria. AFP

Fighters stand guard outside the northern Syrian town of Tal Rifat. AFP

A member of the Syrian White Helmet civil defence helps carry a victim of Syrian government attacks on Idlib city. AP

Anti-government fighters reach the motorway near the northern Syrian town of Azaz. AFP

Anti-government fighters celebrate as they take over the northern Syrian town of Tal Rifaat. AFP

Anti-government fighters swept into the city of Aleppo, east of Idlib province. AFP

The Syrian army said dozens of its soldiers had been killed in the attack on Aleppo. AFP

Smoke billows in the aftermath of what the White Helmets say is a strike, in Idlib, Syria. Reuters

Syria's President Bashar Al Assad meets Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus. Reuters

A nurse attends to an injured woman in Idlib, Syria. Government air strikes in Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two children, and wounded 11 others, said the Syrian Civil Defence. AP

Anti-government fighters take a position near the northern Syrian town of Tal Rifaat. AFP

Anti-government fighters ride a motorcycle in the northern Syrian town of Tal Rifaat. AFP

People cross an anti-government checkpoint as they return to the town of Saraqib in the eastern part of Idlib province. AFP

Syrian opposition fighters seize abandoned Syrian army ammunition in the town of Khan Assubul, Syria, southwest of Aleppo. AP

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The UK, France and Germany have written to the Israeli government calling for action on the “unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza”, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a post on X on Monday.

The countries called for more aid to be allowed into the enclave and for Israel to implement the UN’s winter plan immediately. More equipment should be sent to Gaza to guard against cold and flooding, access to fuel made available and repairs undertaken on vital infrastructure, they said.

British Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer also called on Iran and Russia to act in accordance with international humanitarian law, after recent air strikes in Syria.

Mr Falconer told the House of Commons on Monday that events are moving quickly in Syria and his primary concern in the immediate term is the effect on civilians and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Syrian forces strike Aleppo as rebels challenge Assad government

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"This is particularly worrying if we see more large-scale attacks by the regime or Russia against civilians," he added.

Mr Falconer called on all parties involved, including Iran and Russia, to act in accordance with international humanitarian law and not to attack civilians or civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.

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"Humanitarian actors should be granted full humanitarian access on the ground," he said.

“The current fighting also underscores that the situation in Syria is not sustainable. Thirteen years into the conflict, no side has or can decisively win on the battlefield, including Assad. A frozen conflict is not the same as peace.

“Syrians continue to flee the country. Drugs and arms smuggling from Syria threaten the region, and Iran and Russia continue to exert influence propping up the Syrian regime. The underlying reasons for this conflict remain unaddressed.

“Recent developments in the north-west only underscore the urgent need for Syrian-led political solution to the conflict in Syria, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254. We urge all parties to re-engage with this process.”

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: “When red lines are crossed in this conflict, the UK must be part of a firm response”.

“Instability also fuels extremism, not just abroad, but at home here too. Can he [Mr Falconer] therefore explain his view on the risk of dangerous extremists in Syria and the risk to the security of prisons in the area?

“And can the minister confirm that coordination is taking place across our government to review the security and defence implications and terrorism risks?”

Mr Falconer replied: “We are very alive to the terrorist threats that could emanate from Syria, not least from Daesh, who may be down, but they are not out, and we continue to monitor those issues very closely.”