Sir Keir Starmer has strongly condemned the “unspeakable and indefensible” humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, following warnings from aid organizations regarding widespread starvation in the region.
In a released statement, the Labour leader characterized the situation as having been “grave for some time,” but noted that it has now “reached new depths.”
“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Sir Keir stated.
He further indicated his intention to convene an emergency call with counterparts in Germany and France on Friday to explore avenues to “stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need.”
Israel, which maintains control over the entry of supplies into Gaza, has denied the existence of a siege and attributed instances of malnutrition to Hamas.
Reports of Palestinian casualties have surfaced on an almost daily basis as individuals await food distribution, occurring since Israel partially eased an 11-week blockade on aid deliveries in May, which followed a two-month ceasefire.
Israel, along with the United States, played a role in establishing a new aid distribution system managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), but shortages of essential food and medical supplies have reportedly worsened.
Assessments conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that approximately a quarter of Gaza’s population is currently experiencing famine-like conditions.
Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of instigating conflict in proximity to aid distribution sites, maintaining that its forces have only discharged warning shots and do not intentionally target civilians.
Earlier this week, the UK joined 27 other nations in a collective call for Israel to “immediately lift restrictions” on the flow of humanitarian aid, asserting that the current aid delivery model is perilous and deprives Gazans of “human dignity.”
Sir Keir has faced growing pressure from within the Labour party, with some MPs urging a stronger stance on Israel, including calls for the government to reassess its position and recognize a Palestinian state.
The government has stated that it would only consider such a move as part of a comprehensive political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his statement released Thursday evening, Sir Keir reiterated the “pressing need for Israel to change course.”
He further repeated his appeals for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and for Hamas to “unconditionally” release all remaining hostages.
Emphasizing the “inalienable right” of Palestinians to statehood, he added that a ceasefire would “put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.”
President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France intends to officially recognize a Palestinian state in September.
These developments come as the United States joined Israel earlier on Thursday in recalling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire discussions held in Qatar.
Israeli and Hamas delegations have been engaged in talks in Doha for over two weeks, but the discussions have thus far failed to yield a breakthrough.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff attributed the lack of progress to Hamas, stating that Washington would consider “alternative options to bring the hostages home.”
The UK has been progressively intensifying its response to Israel since the escalation of military activity in Gaza earlier this year, suspending trade talks with Israel in May and implementing new sanctions targeting West Bank settlers.
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