Labour Leaders Demand Comes As Rebellion Grows Over His Stance On Israel Gaza Conflict

Labour: Starmer calls for urgent ceasefire in Gaza

Labour leader's demand comes as rebellion grows over his stance on Israel-Gaza conflict

Many protests have taken place across the UK calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

British Labour leader Keir Starmer called on Sunday for a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and said the fighting must stop now.

His call came as a growing number of Labour MPs and councillors voiced their opposition to his stance on the conflict, with 56 MPs voting for an immediate ceasefire in a Commons motion on Tuesday.

Sir Keir has faced criticism from within the party for not being critical enough of Israel's actions in Gaza, where more than 240 people have been killed in the past week.

In a statement on Sunday, Sir Keir said: "The violence in Gaza and Israel must stop now. I join the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting end to the suffering of innocent civilians."

"The loss of life is a tragedy and the devastation is heart-breaking. We must do everything we can to ensure that this conflict does not escalate further and that it is brought to a conclusion as soon as possible."