Keir Starmer condemns Iran’s missile attack and commits to protecting Israel in meeting with Netanyahu

Starmer spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday afternoon and “expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians”.

The Labour leader also underlined the “importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon”.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer relayed the information to King Abdullah of Jordan about the “urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza”.

Iran said it had launched the missile strike in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week.

It comes after Israel’s armed forces confirmed that they had launched a “ground operation” in the south of Lebanon in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

According to the Downing Street spokesperson, the attack on Israel “began during the leader’s conversation”.

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They said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.

“The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.

“During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

“The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.”

A Downing Street spokesperson said Keir Starmer told King Abdullah of Jordan about the ‘urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza’

PA

The spokesperson added: “The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier this afternoon from Downing Street.

“The leaders began by underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. They both called for de-escalation to prevent the extreme humanitarian situation from worsening.

“The Prime Minister said he will work alongside partners and do everything possible to push for de-escalation and push for a diplomatic solution.

“The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”