Sir Keir Starmer has been challenged to recall Parliament so the “toughest and most severe sanctions available” can be imposed on Israel in the wake of reports of attacks on Gaza City.
Palestinians are said to be fleeing the area after the Israeli military began the first stages of a planned ground offensive.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need to “reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza”, as he warned of the “massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza would inevitably cause”.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney meanwhile made clear his view that Israel’s actions in Gaza “amount to genocide”, adding that “the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it”.
Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 21, 2025
The world cannot look away. We need serious and urgent action to put a stop to this.
The UK Government must recall Parliament, sanction Israel, and end all arms sales now.
He said: “This latest action by Israel is an outrageous and unacceptable escalation which must be a further wake-up call to the international community.
“We must see serious action to hold Israel to account for this unjustifiable brutality and inhumanity.”
He said the attacks will mean “more innocent Palestinians are going to die”, adding: “What was already an intolerable level of human suffering will get worse, and we are getting even further away from securing a peace.
“I have made clear our grave concerns that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide and today’s offensive is only going to intensify the suffering we are seeing.
It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, and to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza would inevitably cause.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 21, 2025
Simultaneously, the decision by the Israeli authorities to expand… pic.twitter.com/oqf6q6vo5N
“The international community cannot look away from this – there must be a concerted global effort to put a stop to Israel’s action, secure a ceasefire and hold (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and his government to account.”
He urged the British Prime Minister to recall MPs to Parliament so action can be taken.
Mr Swinney demanded: “Prime Minister Keir Starmer needs to recall the UK Parliament immediately so the toughest and most severe sanctions available can be imposed on Israel, and all UK arms sales to Israel ended.
“Every ounce of international influence the UK may have must be used towards putting an end to Israel’s assault.”
