Since taking office, the UK Labour government has been actively engaging with our international partners to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

In recent weeks, senior government Ministers, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, have engaged in diplomatic efforts to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy’s recent visits to the region underscore the UK’s commitment to regional stability. In these discussions, the UK emphasised the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the immediate release of hostages. Our stance on this has been resolute since day one, along with renewed calls for restraint and for Israel to comply with international humanitarian law in its operations in Gaza. A thorough review of Israel’s compliance with international law was commissioned on day one in office, and monitoring continues to this day.

We have also made it crystal clear that we respect the role and independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and urge other nations to comply with legal rulings administered by these mechanisms and/or cooperate in any such investigations.

We were gravely concerned to hear the Israeli Defence Forces have injured five UN peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon. Combative acts on UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) and UN members of staff are unacceptable. All parties must take all necessary measures to protect all UN personnel and premises and allow the UN to fulfil its mandate.

To address the ongoing tensions, we have been working closely with our international partners, reinforcing the need for the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to bring stability to the region.

We acted quickly and decisively on the humanitarian front, restoring funding to UNRWA and a £1 million package of assistance to the Egyptian Ministry of Health to support medically evacuated civilians from Gaza and various other streams. The UK fully supports the UN Secretary-General, UNRWA, and the wider UN as they seek to secure peace through diplomacy and help the people of the Middle East. The government has also placed on record its concern regarding the Israeli Parliament’s legislative move to disband UNRWA’s operations in the region. The Foreign Secretary has urged the Israeli government not to follow through with the wishes of its parliament, citing the move as one with catastrophic ramifications.

With Gaza facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, we continue to lead calls for an unfettered flow of aid into the region and for Israel to do more to ensure that humanitarian workers can operate safely. There is no excuse for Israel’s ongoing restrictions on humanitarian assistance – they must let more aid in now, much of which is funded by this UK government and our international partners. The UK government unequivocally condemns any obstructive measures to this effect.

The UK’s robust export licensing criteria states that the government cannot issue export licences for weapons and other items where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. Following a detailed review of the risks associated with the ongoing conflict, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds recently announced the suspension of 30 export licenses. These measures reflect the UK’s stringent export controls, aligning with Labour’s longstanding commitment to upholding international law.

In recent weeks, Lebanon has also become a growing area of concern, with Iran’s proxies exacerbating tensions in northern Israel and the broader region. Hezbollah has been launching missiles at northern Israel, forcing more than 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes. They must take responsibility for ending this cycle of violence rather than recklessly endangering the lives of Israelis and Lebanese alike.

The government has committed to supporting the people of Lebanon, and we have announced an additional £19.5m aid package to meet their immediate humanitarian needs.
We were the first G7 nation to call for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel and for the implementation of a political plan that will enable civilians on both sides to return to their homes, and we have reiterated this call for peace on many such occasions since. We have consistently supported Israel’s right to self-defence in the face of Iranian aggression. Iran should not respond. All sides should exercise restraint, as broader regional escalation is in no one’s interest.
We remain clear: this violence must end.

Across the region, our priorities are clear: de-escalation, humanitarian assistance, immediate ceasefires, and political solutions—this is how we save lives and liberate hostages.

The protection of civilians and the restoration of peace is a priority. As we work alongside our international allies, our focus is on achieving a lasting and just solution, with the hope that peace can prevail across the region – pulling the region back from the brink.

The UK government’s commitment to a two-state solution remains unwavering. A sovereign Palestinian state must coexist alongside a secure and peaceful Israel, with mutual respect for human rights and international law. This remains the only path forward to ensure that both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.

PM statement on Israel’s Knesset vote on UNRWA:

“The UK is gravely concerned at the UNRWA bills that Israel’s Knesset has passed. This legislation risks making UNRWA‘s essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardising the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and the delivery of essential health and education services in the West Bank.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is simply unacceptable. We need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a significant increase in aid to Gaza.
Under its international obligations, Israel must ensure sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza.

Only UNRWA can deliver humanitarian aid at the scale and pace needed. We pay tribute to the 222 UNRWA staff who have lost their lives in the conflict. UNRWA has a UN mandate to support Palestinian refugees. We urge Israeli lawmakers to ensure that UNRWA can continue to deliver its essential work.”

Read all my recent statements on the situation in the Middle East below: