Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider plans to take over Gaza City, warning the move would bring further bloodshed and deepen the humanitarian crisis. Speaking in London, Starmer said Israel's escalation, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians over 22 months and pushed Gaza into famine, was wrong and would not secure the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel's security cabinet approved the takeover of Gaza City after a marathon meeting, stopping short of seizing the entire territory as Netanyahu had originally proposed. Starmer urged both Israel and Hamas to de-escalate and agree a ceasefire, adding that the prospect of a two-state solution was 'vanishing before our eyes' without good-faith negotiations.
Other leaders criticised the plan, with Finland and Turkey calling for de-escalation. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accused Netanyahu of pursuing 'ethnic cleansing' and urged Starmer to halt arms exports to Israel and impose sanctions. Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh told Sky News the decision risked escalating an 'intolerable situation', leading to more bloodshed, and stressed the need to bring parties to the negotiating table.
Starmer warned that if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire and a pathway to a two-state solution by September, the UK would recognise a Palestinian state before the UN General Assembly. He reiterated the need for a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, and a diplomatic resolution.
