By Home Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has “urged” Israel to abandon its planned military takeover of Gaza City, warning the operation risks catastrophic escalation of violence and humanitarian suffering.
Starmer described the planned takeover as “wrong” and called for its immediate reversal, warning it “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 stressed: “Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.”
The Prime Minister called for “a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.” He insisted that “Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm.”
SNP CALL FOR EMERGENCY ACTION
Starmer’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from the Scottish National Party (SNP), which argues that words are no longer enough in the face of what it describes as an ongoing genocide.
SNP Westminster Leader, Stephen Flynn MP, has written to the Prime Minister demanding that Westminster Parliament be immediately recalled to impose direct sanctions on the Israeli Government and take decisive steps to halt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military campaign.
Flynn warned that unless strong measures are taken, “we are consciously and complicitly standing idly by – allowing Benjamin Netanyahu to plan, implement and inflict an ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
In his letter, Flynn called on the government to “immediately” recognise the state of Palestine before it is “brutally wiped off the map,” stop all UK arms sales to Israel, directly sanction Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers, and end all training, logistical and military support for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
He said, “A genocide is happening before our eyes in Gaza. Words of condemnation aren’t anywhere near enough – if we have any hope of stopping this genocide, strong actions are desperately needed, now. That means Starmer needs to recall Westminster and take concrete steps to sanction the Israeli government.
“Those sanctions must include ending all arms sales to the Israeli military, stopping all training, logistical and military support to the IDF, directly and personally sanctioning Netanyahu and his ministers and finally and immediately recognising the state of Palestine before it is brutally wiped off the map.
“If the international community fails to act – we are consciously and complicitly standing idly by – allowing Benjamin Netanyahu to plan, implement and inflict an ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“The UK is not powerless here – it remains a key partner of the Israeli Government and has been shamefully slow in even speaking out against the bombing and starvation of the civilian population of Palestine. It’s time for that change and it’s time for Keir Starmer to act.”
SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS AND INTELLIGENCE SHARING
The SNP’s demands come as a growing controversy surrounds Britain’s continued intelligence cooperation with Israel, despite the Prime Minister’s criticism of the Gaza City takeover plan.
According to specialist flight trackers and reporting by The Guardian, RAF Shadow aircraft have conducted more than 600 surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023. The missions, launched under the previous Conservative government to help locate hostages, have continued under Labour with minimal public transparency.
In late July, the operation was outsourced to the US contractor Sierra Nevada Corporation, ostensibly to cut costs. Days later, on July 28, the contracted aircraft inadvertently broadcast its position while circling above Khan Younis, revealing the UK’s direct surveillance over Gaza rather than just adjacent airspace.
Military analyst Steffan Watkins noted: “Until then, transponders were typically switched off mid-flight. This confirmed that UK surveillance missions were active above Gaza airspace, not just nearby.”
The UK government insists the flights focus solely on locating the estimated 20 surviving hostages, with defence sources saying the aircraft are trained on specific buildings. Critics counter that once intelligence is shared, its final use cannot be controlled, especially when passed to a foreign military engaged in urban warfare.
COMPLICITY IN WAR CRIMES – POLITICAL BACKLASH
The revelations have fuelled cross-party criticism. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned Britain’s “continued military cooperation with Israel” as “utterly indefensible” during “a genocide livestreamed around the world.”
Labour MPs Zarah Sultana, Clive Lewis, and Richard Burgon have each accused the government of risking complicity in war crimes.
Sultana called for an end to “all military cooperation assisting war crimes,” Lewis described the flights as “direct involvement in a brutal campaign,” and Burgon warned of “complicity in war crimes.”
Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Helen Maguire urged ministers to clarify “what steps it has taken to ensure Israel can’t use UK-sourced intelligence for its military operations in Gaza.” Layla Moran, also a Lib Dem MP, described Britain’s role as “deeply troubling.”
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith said: “We must not enable indiscriminate violence. There needs to be a clear ethical line.”
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has insisted the UK is not assisting Israel’s prosecution of the war: “It would be quite wrong for the British government to assist in the prosecution of this war in Gaza. We are not doing that. I would never do that.”
However, legal experts and military insiders stress that once intelligence is handed over, Britain cannot guarantee its use — particularly in a conflict already subject to accusations of genocide and breaches of international humanitarian law.
The Attorney General’s Office has refused to confirm whether it has issued any legal advice on the surveillance missions.
GAZA CITY PLAN AND INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION
Israel’s Gaza City takeover plan, approved by Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet, aims to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure, rescue hostages, and install a new civilian administration. Israeli officials insist the operation is a “control” mission rather than “occupation,” a framing many legal scholars see as an attempt to sidestep international law.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned the plan would cause “more massive, forced displacement, more killing, and atrocity crimes,” calling it contrary to the International Court of Justice’s ruling demanding an end to the occupation. Palestinian officials have labelled it a “full-fledged war crime” and appealed to the UN Security Council and Arab League.
DEVASTATION ON THE GROUND
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. Since October 2023, more than 61,200 Palestinians have been killed and over 152,000 wounded. Civilians endure daily bombardment, starvation, and collapse of essential infrastructure.
On Thursday and Friday alone, 38 civilians were confirmed killed. In Gaza City’s Al-Shati camp, a strike flattened a residential building, killing three. In Sheikh Ridwan, an elderly man and two women were killed; hours later, a drone strike obliterated a family of six sheltering in a tent. In Nuseirat, four more — including two children — died when an apartment was bombed.
Medical facilities reported receiving 100 bodies and treating over 600 wounded within 24 hours.
[An infographic titled “Israel’s decision to expand Gaza military operation” created in Ankara, Turkiye on August 8, 2025. With the implementation of the plan, displaced Palestinians are expected to be forced to relocate to the narrow central area. Photojournalist: Yasin Demirci/AA]
