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.’
Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at Israel’s recent actions in Gaza, denouncing Netanyahu’s government as ‘counterproductive’ and ‘intolerable’
The Prime Minister has raised the possibility of hitting Israel with sanctions following recent events (Pictured: Benjamin Netanyahu)
Palestinians, most of them children, queue in front of a food distribution truck in Gaza on May 22, 2025
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 Gaza, 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 in Rafah 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 Israel 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 growing its ground operation in Gaza as well as stopping aid from reaching the war-ravaged strip.
Smoke billows above buildings in the northern Gaza Strip on May 19, 2025
Palestinians displaced from their homes light a fire during a power outage, on May 19, 2025
‘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
Satellite photos show buildings and roads in central Gaza before Israel’s invasion of the enclave (top) on October 6, 2023 and after (bottom), on August 20, 2024
An internally displaced Palestinian girl carries pots to her family shelter after receiving food from a charity kitchen, in Jabalia, May 2, 2025
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.
In May, Canada, the UK and France released a joint statement condemning Israel’s ‘egregious actions’ after the country escalated its ground offensive and blocked humanitarian aid
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.
