Police have closed Kensington Gardens in London after a video emerged claiming drones with hazardous materials were launched toward the Israeli embassy, according to major media reports. The Met Police confirmed there is an increased police presence at Kensington Gardens as officers assess a number of discarded items. Counter-terrorism officers are aware of the claims but confirm the Israeli embassy has not been attacked, the Met Police said.
The group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia claimed it had aimed two drones carrying radioactive and dangerous carcinogenic material at the nearby Israeli embassy, according to major media reports. In a video released by the group, two people dressed in white hazmat-style suits handled drones adorned with its logo. Footage, which appeared to have been filmed in a local park, showed a drone taking off into the evening sky, major media reported.
As a precaution, some of the deployed officers are wearing protective clothing, the Met Police said. The Met Police do not believe there to be any increased public safety risk at this stage but urge people to avoid the area while officers carry out their work. There are cordons in place and no public access to Kensington Gardens and the surrounding area, according to the Met Police. Counter Terrorism Policing London are aware of a video shared online overnight in which a group claim to have targeted the nearby Embassy of Israel with drones carrying dangerous substances, the Met Police stated. The Met Police are carrying out urgent enquiries to determine the authenticity of the video and to identify any potential link between it and the items discarded in Kensington Gardens.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents since the start of the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, including the arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity, according to major media reports.
A coordinated US-Israeli military offensive called 'Operation Epic Fury' struck Iran on 28 February, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to research from four sources.
Iran responded to US-Israeli attacks with missile and drone strikes across the UAE, hitting Dubai International Airport, according to research from two sources. There have been attacks on airports and civilian areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Doha (Qatar), research from four sources indicates. Dubai Airport was damaged by drone debris, leading to a three-day closure and stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers, according to research from four sources. A projectile hit the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai, causing a fire, research from four sources reports.
In response, the US State Department issued a directive for American nationals to 'depart now' from 14 nations across the Middle East, including Egypt. The US is sending charter flights to evacuate Americans from the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, research from four sources indicates. The UK government has begun flying British nationals out of Oman, with additional flights from the UAE starting 4 March, according to research from four sources. All civilian travel to and from Iran is closed, with airspace shut immediately after strikes began, research from four sources reports. The US, UK, Canada, and Australia have their highest-level travel advisories for Iran, according to research from four sources. The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in the Middle East to leave immediately due to escalating conflict and airspace closures.
Shanice Day was stranded in Dubai after the conflict began, with airspace closures limiting flights, research from four sources indicates. Day and her friend eventually flew home to Houston via Australia after repeated flight cancellations, according to research from four sources. Jenna Fonberg and Jetlyn Toledo landed in Israel the day before the US and Israel struck Iran, with talks of conflict already occurring, research from four sources reports.
US President Trump expects the strikes to continue for several weeks, according to research from four sources.
In an unrelated development, Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual misconduct, according to research from four sources. Swalwell has denied sexual misconduct but acknowledged mistakes in judgment, while Gonzales admitted to a 2024 affair with a staff member who later died by suicide, research from four sources reports. House rules forbid relationships with staff, and reforms were implemented after the #MeToo movement, according to research from four sources.
Previously, Abdullah Albadri tried to break into London's Israeli embassy armed with knives to 'exact revenge' for killings in Gaza, according to prosecutors. Albadri entered the UK illegally by small boat in August 2021 and again in April 2025, research from four sources indicates. Albadri denies preparation of terrorist acts and possession of bladed articles.
Key unknowns remain about the London drone incident, including what specific hazardous materials, if any, were actually present in the drones claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. The authenticity of the video released by the group and any confirmed link to the discarded items in Kensington Gardens has not been established by authorities.
Regarding the Middle East conflict, the current status and extent of the US-Israeli military offensive 'Operation Epic Fury' and its ongoing impact beyond the initial strikes are unclear. The total number of casualties and detailed damage assessments from the attacks across the Middle East, including in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, have not been confirmed. Additionally, the full list of 14 nations from which the US State Department has directed American nationals to depart immediately has not been publicly detailed.