Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticised the Israeli government’s decision to escalate its military offensive in Gaza, calling for an immediate reversal of the move, according to a statement.
In the statement, Starmer said the escalation “will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages” and warned that it “will only bring more bloodshed.”
He described the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hostages taken by Hamas are “being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.” The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s call for a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, and a negotiated resolution.
“Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm,” Starmer said. He added that the UK is working with allies on a long-term peace plan under a two-state framework aimed at securing a “brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis.”
However, Starmer warned that without good-faith engagement from both parties, “that prospect is vanishing before our eyes,” and stressed that “a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.”
What’s going on?
Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan for the military to “prepare to take control of Gaza City,” in what is believed to be the first step toward a potential full takeover of the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants Israel to control all of Gaza but “not keep it.” The plan, which was approved after rejecting what officials called an inferior alternative, also sets out “five principles for ending the war,” including the creation of a post-war civilian government that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
The timeline for the operation remains unclear. Israeli media reports suggest the military will not move in immediately and will first order residents to evacuate. The cabinet has agreed to “provid[e] humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” although it is not clear whether this will be channelled through the controversial Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation or another mechanism. Details of the rejected proposal, reportedly put forward by the army’s chief of staff, remain unknown, and Hamas has yet to respond to the plan.
International reaction has been swift. UN human rights chief Volker Türk has urged an immediate end to the war, warning that any further escalation “will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes.” He reiterated that “Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live side-by-side in peace.”
Image Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages.
I wonder if the UK’s disapproval will extend to cancelling the surveillance flights that have operated out of Akrotiri?
It is not Britain saying this – just Starmer. My personal view is “Go for it Israel” otherwise Gaza becomes just a base for launching missiles at Israel again.
What Starmer says along with all those stupid protests will not alter Israel’s way of thinking one jot!
Looking at the photo, I see your point — there’s at least one building that hasn’t taken a top-down direct hit. Typical half-a-job from Israel. So yes, indeed, more “work” to be done…
Looking at the photo, my thought was: “Well, it still looks better than Swindon!”
If things ever go “live” with Russia, here’s hoping they do us all a favour and drop a couple of bombs on the Magic Roundabout 👍
No, not the magic roundabout!
Just let them bomb all of the other million ordinary roundabouts. Maybe if our jamming is good enough we could help aim them?
Quite agree with you, Hamas have to be defeated.
#MeAlso.
‘If you don’t want to suffer casualties, don’t start a war’ – Douglas Murray
If Israel stops now, then Hamas will survive, which is a strategic victory for them.
Again, certain governments promising to recognise Palestine right now fulfills one of Hama’s political goals and emboldens them and others
to keep up the violent jihad.
Well that is it then Israel will stop because we asked nicely, job done. Every one respects us world wise these days?. Not got any thing to do with the Government being Labour and they are very pro Palestine as a party. Not a fan of the harshness of Israels tactics but Hamas did poke the hornets nest first. What would the UK of done? Had a cobra meeting, sent a strong worded text?,
Starmer is an apologist for one of the most vile terrorist outfits on the planet. This is a sop to his left wing party and its voting base. Israeli officials are taking the correct course of action. You do not negotiate with terrorists. You eradicate them. Starmer needs to learn that.
And murder 50 000 civilians in the process