Friday briefing: How Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have found themselves caught in an escalation without end

Israel's growing offensive in Lebanon is targeting essential infrastructure such as hospitals. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Israel's growing offensive in Lebanon is targeting essential infrastructure such as hospitals. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images Friday briefing: How Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have found themselves caught in an escalation without end In today’s newsletter: ​Global powers​ are focused on oil markets and elections​ but those living through conflict in the Middle East feel abandoned Good morning. It’s been another week of brinkmanship via Truth Social and ceasefires broken before they’ve been announced. While US president Donald Trump claims an agreement with Iran could happen soon, for those living in the Middle East it does not feel like peace is anywhere near. People have seen more bombs dropped in Lebanon this week; and the death toll continues to rise, national economies falter, and displacement abounds. For those in the region, it means that having your bag packed, ready to flee by bus, car or even on foot to a safer place – maybe for a few days, perhaps indefinitely – has become a fact of life. Emma Graham -Harrison spent over a decade reporting from Kabul, Beijing and Madrid before basing herself in Jerusalem last May as our chief Middle East correspondent. I spoke to her as she waited to board her flight to Zurich, where she’s been nominated for an award for her reporting from Gaza . We talked about what it’s like for people living in a region that faces constant instability while the world watches on, and other times looks away. But first, the headlines. Five big stories UK politics | Andy Burnham has signalled he would begin transforming the broken social care system this year if he became prime minister, he has said in an interview with the Guardian , accusing Westminster of “flinching away” from tackling difficult policy problems. Environment | Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival . Ukraine | The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. England news | The poorest and most nature-deprived communities in England will be further left behind in their access to green spaces if proposed changes to planning laws go ahead, a report finds. UK news | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received private income from subletting three cottages on his Windsor Royal Lodge estate while paying a “peppercorn rent” to the crown estate, a report into royal property arrangements has revealed. In depth: ‘This is not a ceasefire. It’s a never-ending auction over our lives and our blood’ View image in fullscreen Donald Trump is losing face at home while he continues to attempt a peace deal in the Middle East. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images As the week draws to a close, Donald Trump has insi