The next move by Israel – while rightly outraged by the latest Iranian provocation – will be crucial

World on edge

THE world is holding its breath for Israel’s response to the attack on it by Iran.

Let us pray that there is no major escalation in hostilities.

The evil Iranian regime has been attacking Israel for years, through its many proxies.

Saturday’s barrage of missiles and drones was a whole new level of recklessness, but the effect has not been so different to the bombardment of Iranian weaponry rained on Israel via Hezbollah and Hamas.

Iran claims that, with one child injured and minor damage to an Israeli air-base in the latest attack, it has “achieved all it wanted to do”.

Its predictably ineffective attack was aimed at appeasing hard-liners at home and saving face, not provoking Israel into a devastating retaliation.

But the next move by Israel - while rightly outraged by the latest Iranian provocation - will be crucial.

The last thing needed now is more bloodshed. Nor do we need Iranian attacks on shipping through the region.

Rather than ramping up tensions with a retaliatory strike — however justified — we hope Israel will instead choose to leave the Mad Mullahs exposed to the world as the cowardly fools they are.

Dose of reality

DR HILARY Cass’s report on NHS gender services for children has struck a long-overdue blow against extremist trans ideology and identity politics.

But Business Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch is right to warn the battle is not yet won.

The Sun’s exclusive story about an NHS hospital banner welcoming 21 different sexualities is a perfect illustration of why this is the case.

Thank goodness for Ms Badenoch, a breath of fresh air who has never been afraid to call out the ideologues.

For too long the leaders of public bodies have cravenly bowed to the vociferous trans lobby and made its doctrine part of their official policy.

In doing so they often put woke credentials ahead of providing decent services.

The online cesspit that is social media is also still rife with malign influencers who wish to snare vulnerable and impressionable youngsters.

It’s time the silent majority found its voice and, like Ms Badenoch, spoke up against this dangerous nonsense.

Heal our NHS

A SHOCKING report reveals more than 2,000 NHS buildings were built before the health service itself was created.

Problems at these buildings include sewage leaking from decrepit plumbing on to the wards.

Patients will be more concerned about their hospital crumbling around them than by what pronouns they are addressed.