Starmer labels Israel's action in Gaza 'appalling' and dubs conduct of Netanyahu's Government 'intolerable'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at Israel for the recent actions of Netanyahu's government in Gaza describing it as 'counterproductive', 'intolerable' and 'appalling'.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Labour leader, 62, called yet again for a ceasefire between the two countries, whilst also revisiting the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel.
Claire Hanna, the leader of Northern Ireland 's Social Democratic and Labour Party, highlighted the matter during PMQs describing them as 'very dark days'.
She added: 'Gaza is a stain on the soul of humanity.'
The Prime Minister said Hanna was 'absolutely right' in her description of recent days on the Gaza strip.
'Israel's recent action is appalling and, in my view, counterproductive and intolerable and we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid,' he told the Commons
Sir Keir Starmer also said they would 'keep looking at further action along with our allies, including sanctions,' whilst asserting a ceasefire between both sides was the main goal.
'We need the hostages who've been held for a very long time to be released,' he added.
'And we desperately need more aid at speed and at volume into Gaza because it's an appalling and intolerable situation.'
The Prime Minister's strong words comes shortly after an Israel and US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, stopped delivering food to three centres in Gaza.
It comes after 27 Palestinians were killed and several were injured by IDF troops near a food site in Rafah, according to local officials.
The IDF said its forces opened fire on a group of people they viewed as a threat after they left a designated access route near the distribution centre and approached their positions.
An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesperson said a Rafah field hospital received 184 casualties, with 19 of those dead upon arrival.
A further eight people died from their wounds shortly after.
Video showed injured people, including at least one woman, being rushed to a medical centre on carts drawn by donkeys.
However, Sir Starmer's recent remarks could re-spark a clash with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed he as well as other world leaders were siding with Hamas
Last May, the UK, France and Canada released a joint statement were they denounced Israel for its growing ground operation in Gaza as well as stopping aid from reaching the war-ravaged strip.
'Israel's recent action is appalling and, in my view, counterproductive and intolerable and we have strongly opposed the expansion of military operations and settler violence and the blocking of humanitarian aid,' Sir Starmer told the Commons
The statement said that although Israel had 'suffered a heinous attack on October 7' and had a right to defend itself against terrorism, it described the country's escalation as 'wholly disproportionate'.
'We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions,' it read.
'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.'
Following the joint message, an incensed Netanyahu said in a post via X: 'I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others.
'I say to President Macron, prime minister Carney and prime minister Starmer, when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you're on the wrong side of justice.'
Israel has decimated huge parts of Palestine ever since October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas, killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
On Tuesday, health officials said at least 18 more Palestinians were killed in other military strikes in the territory.
Following the joint message, an incensed Netanyahu said in a post via X: 'When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you're on the wrong side of justice.'
The United Nations human rights office in Geneva said the impediment of access to food relief for civilians in Gaza might constitute a war crime and described attacks on people trying to access food aid as 'unconscionable'.
The head of the U.N. agency, Volker Turk, urged a prompt and impartial investigation into the killings.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer denied that civilians had been targeted.
'The IDF is doing everything in its power to allow Gazans to get to the humanitarian aid. The IDF is not preventing the arrival of Gazans at humanitarian aid sites. Indeed, we are encouraging it,' Mencer said.
IN FULL: Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday's announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.
The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.
Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.
We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.
We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.
We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas' control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region.
We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalise consensus on arrangements for Gaza's future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.
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