London — The ongoing genocide in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Israel’s decision to seize control of Gaza City, warning that the move will intensify regional tensions, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and erase any remaining prospects for a lasting peace.
Starmer described Israel’s military push as “wrong” and “reckless,” highlighting that the forced takeover of Palestinian territory constitutes a dangerous escalation in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. His remarks mark one of the rare occasions a Western leader has directly condemned Tel Aviv’s expansionist policies, which have drawn growing global outrage.
The Israeli security cabinet recently approved plans to occupy the entirety of Gaza City, a step widely seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate military control over the Gaza Strip. Rights groups have denounced the decision as a clear violation of international law, warning it will accelerate the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, already under siege since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel triggered Israel’s relentless and disproportionate military campaign.
Analysts say Starmer’s comments reflect mounting international discomfort with Israel’s conduct, even among its traditional allies. Critics point to the West’s persistent double standards, where the US and EU continue to arm and defend Israel while denouncing other nations for alleged human rights abuses. The war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and left an entire generation traumatized, yet Western capitals remain largely silent or complicit.
For many observers, the UK prime minister’s warning is far too late, given Britain’s historical role in enabling the dispossession of Palestinians since the colonial era. Still, his denunciation stands in stark contrast to the unconditional support Israel receives from Washington, where US officials have repeatedly blocked UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
According to Mehr News, Starmer’s statement came shortly after Israel’s war cabinet confirmed its latest expansion plan, a move condemned across the Arab and Muslim world as part of a calculated policy to erase Palestinian identity from Gaza.
