Latest news with #GazaCrisis
The Guardian
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Sadiq Khan urges Starmer to recognise Palestinian state immediately
Sadiq Khan has urged the UK government to recognise a Palestinian state immediately, putting more pressure on Keir Starmer to take action as international outcry grows over starvation and killings in Gaza. Senior government figures have already urged the prime minister in private to recognise Palestine as a way to pressure Israel over its repeated killing of desperately hungry civilians in Gaza. In a statement on X, the Labour mayor of London said the scenes in Gaza were 'absolutely harrowing'. He wrote: 'Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble. Family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they search for aid. 'The international community – including our own government – must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital, life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government. 'The UK must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. There can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state to call Palestine.' A number of senior ministers are understood to have urged Starmer to give the UK a leading role in recognising a Palestinian state in different cabinet meetings over recent months. The UK plans to formally acknowledge Palestine as part of a peace process, but only in conjunction with other western countries and 'at the point of maximum impact' – without saying when that might be. There has, however, been a growing sense of horror despair in cabinet in recent weeks over Israel's actions and scenes of looming mass starvation in Gaza. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, the health secretary, Wes Streeting, called for recognition 'while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise' and condemned Israeli actions that 'go well beyond legitimate self-defence'. Nearly 60 Labour MPs demanded earlier this month that the UK immediately recognise Palestine as a state, after Israel's defence minister announced plans to force all of Gaza's residents into a camp in the ruins of Rafah. Khan's intervention marks another recent example of the mayor going against Starmer on policy. In June, he urged the government to drop controversial changes to disability benefit, backing rebel Labour MPs who eventually forced the plan to be scuppered. Khan has won three terms as mayor and is believed to be unlikely to seek another, giving him more leeway to criticise Starmer. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In a joint statement on Wednesday, more than 100 aid organisations said 'mass starvation' was spreading in Gaza as a result of continued Israeli restrictions on how aid arrives and is distributed in the territory. The 111 signatories, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children and Oxfam, said 'our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away'. Israel says aid is being allowed in and accuses Hamas of stealing it. There have been repeated incidents of civilians being shot while trying to access aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an organisation backed by Israel that replaced the UN aid infrastructure in May. The UN says Israeli forces have since killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food. The foreign secretary, David Lammy, who said he felt 'appalled, sickened' by the scenes of starving Palestinians being shot as they sought food, said the UK would 'play its part' in reaching a two-state solution.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Sadiq Khan pressures Starmer to recognise Palestinian state
Sir Sadiq Khan today broke cover to demand Keir Starmer recognise a Palestinian state as Labour ministers urge the PM to take tougher action to prevent Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza . The London mayor warned that there might not be much left of Palestine to make into a state if global leaders do not pressure Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the bloodshed. Sir Keir is also facing internal demands to act after Israel was accused of the 'inhumane killing' of starving civilians queuing for food, according to the Guardian . The UN food agency said the IDF fired on a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend. But Sir Sadiq has publicly spoken out ahead of two potentially difficult summer visits to the UK by Donald Trump , a close ally of Israeli PM Netanyahu. The US president, who arrived in Scotland tomorrow for a private visit to his golf courses, has suggested turning Gaza into a tourist resort while evicting its Palestinian population. So far Sir Keir has resisted calls to recognise Palestine. But Wes Streeting is among those who have demanded it this week, echoing Sir Sadiq's argument. In a statement today Sir Sadiq said: 'The absolutely harrowing scenes of suffering in Gaza are being made worse by the day, with no sign of the crisis abating. Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble, family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they search for aid... 'There can be no two state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.' On Monday Mr Lammy and his counterparts from 24 other nations including France, Canada and Australia urged Israel to lift restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza in a joint statement. He toured broadcast studios on Tuesday morning, after having condemned in the House of Commons the 'grotesque spectacle' which Palestinians have been subject to. Asked by ITV's Good Morning Britain what more he planned to do if Israel did not agree to end the conflict, the Foreign Secretary replied: 'Well, we've announced a raft of sanctions over the last few months. 'There will be more, clearly, and we keep all of those options under consideration if we do not see a change in behaviour and the suffering that we are seeing come to an end. 'It's important that we continue to work with international partners if we are to have the maximum result. 'But what I want to see is a ceasefire and it's my assessment that once the Knesset rises on July 28, we are more likely to see a ceasefire come into effect.' Israel claimed the statement from foreign ministers was 'disconnected from reality' and 'sends the wrong message to Hamas'. Before the Common rose for its summer break yesterday Mr Streeting was asked by Labour backbencher Jas Athwal about reports that Israel has attacked World Health Organisation facilities in Deir al-Balah, compromising operations. The Health Secretary told MPs: 'I deplore Israel's attacks on healthcare workers, as well as other innocent civilians trying to access healthcare or vital aid. 'These actions go well beyond legitimate self-defence and undermine the prospects for peace. 'I will be in touch with the World Health Organisation to offer my support following the intolerable incident yesterday and I sincerely hope that the international community can come together, as the Foreign Secretary has been driving towards, to make sure that we see an end to this war, but also the recognition of the state of Palestine while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise.' Earlier this month Mr Macron used a state visit to the UK to press for recognition of Palestinian statehood in an address to Parliament, saying it was the 'only path to peace'. The French president said a ceasefire was a matter of 'absolute urgency' and that a two-state solution would bring security to the region. In June, Mr Lammy announced that two ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government would be subject to sanctions by the UK: Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Israeli finance and security ministers were sanctioned for inciting violence against the Palestinians. Mr Lammy later also told BBC Breakfast he was using language not usually employed by a foreign secretary, who is effectively Britain's chief diplomat. Asked for his personal reaction to the scenes in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary told BBC Breakfast: 'I feel the same as the British public: appalled, sickened. I described what I saw, yesterday in Parliament, as grotesque.' He added: 'These are not words that are usually used by a foreign secretary who is attempting to be diplomatic, but when you see innocent children holding out their hand for food, and you see them shot and killed in the way that we have seen in the last few days, of course Britain must call it out.' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Government to swiftly bring in new sanctions against Israel. He said: 'The Foreign Secretary must realise that we're past the point of threatening sanctions. We need sanctions now, including against Netanyahu and the IDF generals leading the military campaigns in Gaza. 'Every day the Government sits on its hands, more innocent civilians are being killed while over a million are at risk of starvation. Meanwhile, the hostages held by Hamas are no closer to being freed. This is utterly intolerable.' The Lib Dem leader also insisted the UK must halt all arms sales to Israel, adding: 'That must include stemming the flow of UK fighter jet parts to Israel.' Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed around 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Sadiq Khan heaps pressure on Keir Starmer to recognise Palestinian state ahead of Trump visits amid global condemnation of Israeli violence in Gaza
Sir today broke cover to demand Keir Starmer recognise a Palestinian state as Labour ministers urge the PM to take tougher action to prevent Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza. The London mayor warned that there might not be much left of Palestine to make into a state if global leaders do not pressure Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the bloodshed. Sir Keir is also facing internal demands to act after Israel was accused of the 'inhumane killing' of starving civilians queuing for food, according to the Guardian. The UN food agency said the IDF fired on a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend. But Sir Sadiq has publicly spoken out ahead of two potentially difficult summer visits to the UK by Donald Trump, a close ally of Israeli PM Netanyahu. The US president, who arrived in Scotland tomorrow for a private visit to his golf courses, has suggested turning Gaza into a tourist resort while evicting its Palestinian population. So far Sir Keir has resisted calls to recognise Palestine. But Wes Streeting is among those who have demanded it this week, echoing Sir Sadiq's argument. In a statement today Sir Sadiq said: 'The absolutely harrowing scenes of suffering in Gaza are being made worse by the day, with no sign of the crisis abating. Starving children searching hopelessly for food in the rubble, family members shot dead by Israeli soldiers as they search for aid... 'There can be no two state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy yesterday said Israel could face further sanctions from the UK if it does not agree to a ceasefire, telling broadcasters he feels 'appalled' and 'sickened' by its actions in Gaza. On Monday Mr Lammy and his counterparts from 24 other nations including France, Canada and Australia urged Israel to lift restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza in a joint statement. He toured broadcast studios on Tuesday morning, after having condemned in the House of Commons the 'grotesque spectacle' which Palestinians have been subject to. Asked by ITV's Good Morning Britain what more he planned to do if Israel did not agree to end the conflict, the Foreign Secretary replied: 'Well, we've announced a raft of sanctions over the last few months. 'There will be more, clearly, and we keep all of those options under consideration if we do not see a change in behaviour and the suffering that we are seeing come to an end. 'It's important that we continue to work with international partners if we are to have the maximum result. 'But what I want to see is a ceasefire and it's my assessment that once the Knesset rises on July 28, we are more likely to see a ceasefire come into effect.' Israel claimed the statement from foreign ministers was 'disconnected from reality' and 'sends the wrong message to Hamas'. Before the Common rose for its summer break yesterday Mr Streeting was asked by Labour backbencher Jas Athwal about reports that Israel has attacked World Health Organisation facilities in Deir al-Balah, compromising operations. The Health Secretary told MPs: 'I deplore Israel's attacks on healthcare workers, as well as other innocent civilians trying to access healthcare or vital aid. 'These actions go well beyond legitimate self-defence and undermine the prospects for peace. 'I will be in touch with the World Health Organisation to offer my support following the intolerable incident yesterday and I sincerely hope that the international community can come together, as the Foreign Secretary has been driving towards, to make sure that we see an end to this war, but also the recognition of the state of Palestine while there's still a state of Palestine left to recognise.' Earlier this month Mr Macron used a state visit to the UK to press for recognition of Palestinian statehood in an address to Parliament, saying it was the 'only path to peace'. The French president said a ceasefire was a matter of 'absolute urgency' and that a two-state solution would bring security to the region. In June, Mr Lammy announced that two ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government would be subject to sanctions by the UK: Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Israeli finance and security ministers were sanctioned for inciting violence against the Palestinians. Mr Lammy later also told BBC Breakfast he was using language not usually employed by a foreign secretary, who is effectively Britain's chief diplomat. Asked for his personal reaction to the scenes in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary told BBC Breakfast: 'I feel the same as the British public: appalled, sickened. I described what I saw, yesterday in Parliament, as grotesque.' He added: 'These are not words that are usually used by a foreign secretary who is attempting to be diplomatic, but when you see innocent children holding out their hand for food, and you see them shot and killed in the way that we have seen in the last few days, of course Britain must call it out.' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Government to swiftly bring in new sanctions against Israel. He said: 'The Foreign Secretary must realise that we're past the point of threatening sanctions. We need sanctions now, including against Netanyahu and the IDF generals leading the military campaigns in Gaza. 'Every day the Government sits on its hands, more innocent civilians are being killed while over a million are at risk of starvation. Meanwhile, the hostages held by Hamas are no closer to being freed. This is utterly intolerable.' The Lib Dem leader also insisted the UK must halt all arms sales to Israel, adding: 'That must include stemming the flow of UK fighter jet parts to Israel.' Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed around 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deadly Israeli strikes continue in Gaza
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 21 people late on Tuesday and into early Wednesday, health authorities said. More than half of those killed were women and children. Desperation is mounting in the Palestinian territory of more than two million, which experts say is at risk of famine because of Israel's blockade and nearly two-year offensive. A breakdown of law and order has led to widespread looting and contributed to chaos and violence around aid deliveries. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food in the Gaza Strip, mostly near aid sites run by an American contractor, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday. More than 100 human rights groups and charities signed a letter published on Wednesday demanding more aid for Gaza and warning of grim conditions causing starvation. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. Its count does not distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children. The UN and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The Israeli military said in a statement on Wednesday that forces were operating in Gaza City, as well as in northern Gaza. It said that in Jabaliya, an area hard-hit in multiple rounds of fighting, an air strike killed 'a number of' Hamas militants. Troops struck roughly 120 targets throughout Gaza over the past day, including militant cells, tunnels and booby-trapped structures, among others, the military said. One Israeli strike hit a house on Tuesday in the north-western side of Gaza City, killing at least 12 people, according to the Shifa Hospital, which received the casualties. The dead included six children and two women, according to the health ministry's casualty list. Another strike hit an apartment in the Tal al-Hawa area in northern Gaza, killing at least six people. Among the dead were three children and two women, including one who was pregnant. Eight others were wounded, the ministry said. A third strike hit a tent in the Naser area in Gaza City late on Tuesday and killed three children, Shifa Hospital said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. It blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militants operate from populated areas.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Netanyahu's Massacre Network Worse Than Hitler'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a scathing condemnation of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu's government of "surpassing Hitler in barbarism." Speaking at a defense industry event in Istanbul, Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid. He emphasized the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians face famine, mass displacement, and daily violence. He also condemned global silence, saying no one with human dignity can accept what is unfolding. His remarks come amid increasing international criticism of Israel's war, which has led to an ICC arrest warrant and mass protests worldwide.#erdogan #GazaCrisis #IsraelGazaWar #HumanitarianCrisis #CeasefireNow #FreePalestine #netanyahu #MiddleEastNews #IstanbulSpeech #WarCrimes Read More
