Starmer condemns Israel's plan to take over Gaza City

The prime minister urged the Israeli government to immediately reconsider its decision "to further escalate its offensive in Gaza", after Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet approved the plans overnight by a majority vote.

Netanyahu had earlier said he wanted to take control of the whole of the Gaza strip but the approved plan focuses specifically on Gaza City, the largest city in the enclave.

The move has also prompted warnings from the army leadership and family members of hostages held in Gaza, who fear the offensive would endanger the 20 captives believed to still be alive.

In a statement, Sir Keir said: "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.

"Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.

"What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution. Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm."

He added: "Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the plans were "utterly abhorrent" and "it's increasingly clear [Netanyahu's] goal is ethnic cleansing".

"This plan will only serve to wreak more devastation on the lives of millions of Gazans - whose homes and communities have already been destroyed - while endangering the lives of those hostages still held by Hamas," he said.

"Rather than sitting on its hands and issuing strongly worded statements, the UK government needs to take decisive action.

"Keir Starmer needs to stop the export of all UK arms to Israel - today - and sanction Netanyahu and his cabinet."

Live updates: Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan for new military push in Gaza

It comes as Foreign Secretary David Lammy is due to meet US Vice President JD Vance at his official country residence of Chevening House, in Kent, later.

Vance and his family are in the UK for a private family holiday.

However, the pair are also expected to hold a bilateral meeting, with the White House saying they will discuss "a variety of topics pertaining to the US-UK relationship".

Last week, the UK announced it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza", including agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to a two-state solution.

The move was strongly criticised by Israel who said it "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism".

It also puts the UK at odds with the US, which, like Israel, has suggested recognition would reward Hamas.

The United Nations has warned that a complete military takeover would risk "catastrophic consequences" for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The Israeli military currently controls about three-quarters of Gaza, and almost all of its 2.1 million citizens are situated in the quarter of the territory that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) do not control.

In a statement released on Friday morning, Netanyahu's office detailed a five-point plan for "defeating Hamas" and "concluding the war".

"The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," it said.

The plan lists five objectives: disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarising the Gaza Strip, taking security control of the territory, and establishing "an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority".

-BBC