Starmer condemns Israel’s Gaza takeover plan, demands immediate ceasefire

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sharply criticized the Israeli Security Cabinet’s decision to escalate its military offensive in Gaza City.

He labelled the move “wrong” and warning it will deepen the region’s humanitarian crisis and jeopardize hostage lives.

The statement, issued hours after Israel approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza’s largest city, underscores growing international alarm over the intensifying conflict.

In a strongly worded address, Starmer declared, “This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.”

He highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, where over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and approximately 50 hostages remain in Hamas’s custody, with many held in “appalling and inhuman conditions.”

The escalation, Starmer argued, undermines prospects for peace and exacerbates an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, with malnutrition and displacement surging due to Israel’s near-total aid blockade.

Starmer urged Israel to reconsider its decision immediately, advocating for a comprehensive ceasefire, a surge in 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,” he stated, emphasizing that a sustainable solution requires both sides to reject violence.

He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working with allies on a long-term plan for a two-state solution, envisioning “a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis.”

The Prime Minister warned that the window for diplomacy is closing, stating, “Without both sides engaging in good faith in negotiations, that prospect is vanishing before our eyes.”

He called on Israel and Hamas to “step away from the path of destruction,” stressing that a diplomatic solution remains possible but requires mutual commitment.

Israel’s decision to seize Gaza City, approved in the early hours of August 8, follows the collapse of ceasefire negotiations and reflects pressure from far-right coalition members pushing for a full occupation.

The move has drawn widespread condemnation, with Australia’s Environment Minister Murray Watt and Jordanian officials echoing Starmer’s call for de-escalation.

The UN has warned of “catastrophic consequences” for Gaza’s 2 million residents, many of whom face displacement and starvation.

The Gaza conflict, now in its 22nd month, has devastated the enclave, with infrastructure decimated and humanitarian access severely restricted.

A 2024 UNICEF report highlighted that over 14,000 children have died, and aid agencies warn of a looming famine.

Starmer’s call for a “surge in humanitarian aid” responds to these dire conditions, while his rejection of Hamas’s role in Gaza’s future aligns with Western allies’ stance on the group’s governance.