UK warns Israel of fresh measures if Gaza war continues
David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
If a ceasefire is not reached soon in the Gaza Strip, the United Kingdom will take further measures against Israel. This was stated by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, according to The Times of Israel.
Lammy believes that negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and the release of hostages could be hindered by comments made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the relocation of the entire population of Gaza — over 2 million people — to a so-called "humanitarian" zone in the southern part of the Strip.
"I think that would be a big sticking point for getting that ceasefire," he said. "I suspect that if he [Katz] is insistent on that position, then it would be very hard to see how we get that ceasefire because there is an acute discussion about the degree to which the IDF withdraws from Gaza."
When asked whether the UK would take further measures against Israel if the war in Gaza continues, Lammy responded, "Yes. Yes, we will."
In May, Lammy announced that the UK would suspend negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel and take other punitive steps, including imposing sanctions on settlers in the West Bank, in response to Israel’s policies during the war.
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Just before US President Donald Trump's inauguration in January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire. However, it collapsed by March, and hostilities in Gaza resumed.
Recently, Trump stated that Israel had agreed to proposed terms for a 60-day ceasefire.
Following this, Reuters reported that Hamas welcomed the updated proposal and was ready to begin negotiations immediately.
However, the new phase of talks is once again under threat. According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli side criticized the latest amendments suggested by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government said the changes submitted recently were unacceptable to Israel.
In recent days, Israel sent a delegation to Qatar to discuss the new ceasefire arrangement in Gaza.
According to Associated Press, Hamas presented a new written proposal to mediators, which includes a 60-day ceasefire.
During this period, the group is expected to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 deceased captives.
In return, Israel would withdraw its forces to a buffer zone along Gaza's borders and allow the delivery of large amounts of humanitarian aid.
