Gary Lineker regularly breaks down in tears as he says 'I can't be silent'

In a candid and emotional outpour, Gary Lineker, Match of the Day host and former Everton striker, has reignited discussion surrounding the Gaza conflict, labelling it "the worst thing I've seen in my life" and insisting, "I can't be silent about what's happening".

Despite last year's media regulations set by the BBC after Lineker made controversial parallels between UK asylum policies and those of 1930s Germany, the outspoken presenter didn't hold back when criticising Israel's military actions following the October 7 terror attacks from Hamas, which led to an estimated 1,500 Israeli losses.

Following these assaults, directives from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza have resulted in over 34,800 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

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In a conversation with Zeteo, a media platform established by British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, the former Everton and England forward expressed: "It's the worst thing I've seen in my life. I've got no skin in this game. I'm not Muslim, I'm not Jewish, I'm not Israeli, I'm not Palestinian," as stated by Leicestershire Live.

"So I see it, I think, purely from the outside as from a neutral perspective. And I can't think of anything that I've seen worse in my lifetime, the constant images of children losing their lives day in day out. Obviously, we all know October 7 happened and but the minute you raise your voice against what they're now doing you get accused of being a supporter of Hamas and this kind of stuff."

He also stated: "There is a lot of heavy lobbying on people to be quiet so I understand why most people refrain, but I'm getting on a bit now, I'm fairly secure and I can't be silent about what's happening there. I think it's so so utterly awful and it already looks like it's happening, going into Rafa, where they've sent everybody down there.

"It's not antisemitic to say that what Israel is doing is wrong. I just can't see how everybody doesn't see it that now, whatever the cause, whatever started it, we all know that, the history of this area, of the world goes way before October 7. But it's, it's truly dreadful, what's happening and I cry on a regular basis when I see certain images on social media."

Following his comments criticising what he described as "an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s", Lineker was temporarily suspended from Match of the Day on March 10, 2023.

In a show of unity with Gary Lineker, top pundits including Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas decided not to appear on their scheduled slots, prompting his swift reinstatement.

The BBC's report from September highlighted key shows such as Match of the Day, The Apprentice, Dragon's Den, and The One Show.

The guidelines outlined in the document stress the importance of impartiality, prohibiting presenters from expressing support or opposition to any political party during broadcasts, a rule that extends two weeks before and after a series airs.

Further limitations are set on participating in debates about UK politicians' character, making statements on controversial issues during election times, and holding positions within lobbying organisations.

Meanwhile, Lineker has recognised the validity of these rules, labelling them "eminently sensible".