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Downing Street has warned against "further escalation in violence" following Israel's military strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Israel's military said on Tuesday it "conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation". Qatar has previously hosted negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict that began with Hamas's deadly assault on October 7, 2023.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman said: "We've been clear that Hamas are a vile terrorist organisation responsible for an abhorrent attack on Israel on October 7, but we do not want to see a further escalation in violence which risks further destabilisation in the region." The spokesman added that the Government's overarching priority was "to see an end to the horrific suffering in Gaza, starting with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid".
No 10 denied having any prior knowledge of the attack, describing it as "an Israeli-led operation" and "an entirely independent operation". The strike comes as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
Starmer to meet Israeli president
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday as planned, despite the latest developments. Starmer's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister will be meeting the Israeli president, where he'll raise the intolerable situation in Gaza, the action Israel must take to end the horrific suffering we're witnessing. It cannot go on any longer."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for Herzog to answer allegations of war crimes and genocide during his London visit. Speaking to Times Radio, Streeting said: "When the president of the State of Israel comes to London this week, I think he needs to answer the allegations of war crimes, of ethnic cleansing and of genocide that are being levelled at the government of Israel." He questioned how Israel could achieve its stated aims "without genocide" and challenged claims that the Israel Defence Forces is "the most moral army in the world".
UK's position on genocide allegations
The UK Government has stopped short of accusing Israel of genocide, maintaining it has not concluded that Benjamin Netanyahu's government is acting with the legal "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group". A letter from then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that whilst civilian casualties are "utterly appalling", genocide requires specific intent under the Genocide Convention.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Government was clear that it was for "international courts to make these determinations" on whether genocide has occurred. The spokesman confirmed the letter "reflects the UK's position that we've not come to any conclusion as to whether genocide has or has not been committed in Gaza".
Streeting described testimony from British doctors who worked in Gaza as "harrowing", including reports that "for weeks no food was allowed into Gaza, not even for babies". He said: "Not a single one of those atrocities and injustices committed on October 7 can possibly be answered with a level of civilian, innocent loss and suffering that we're seeing in Gaza."
Palestinian Authority talks
On Monday night, Starmer hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Downing Street. Abbas welcomed Starmer's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month if Israel does not change course.
Both leaders agreed there will be "absolutely no role" for Hamas in the future governance of Palestine. They discussed the need for "an urgent solution to end the horrific suffering and famine" in Gaza, starting with an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
