Exclusive

Israel 'has the right' to withhold power and water from Gaza, says Sir Keir Starmer

11 October 2023, 09:16 | Updated: 11 October 2023, 14:05

Keir Starmer joins Nick Ferrari at Breakfast | Watch Again

By Asher McShane

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has decried the actions of Hamas as ‘terrorism’ and said Israel has the “right to defend herself.”

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to Nick Ferrari from the Labour Party conference, Sir Keir told LBC: “Hamas’ actions are terrorism and Israel has the right to defend herself.

“Israel has the right to do everything it can to get those hostages back safe and sound. Hamas bears responsibility,” he added.

He said the world has “obviously” witnessed terrorist acts carried out by Hamas.

He also said “Israel has the right” to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians. “Obviously, everything should be done within international law," he added.

“I’d call on all responsible states to call this out for what it is in utterly condemning these actions from Hamas,” he added.

Read more: Slaughter of the innocents: Israel vows to 'wipe out' Hamas after '40 babies and children massacred' in Kfar Aza

Read more: Israeli woman Inbar Lieberman, 25, hailed a hero for leading defence of Nir Am kibbutz against advancing Hamas

Israeli soldiers carry away the body of a murdered civilian from the Kfar Aza kibbutz
Israeli soldiers carry away the body of a murdered civilian from the Kfar Aza kibbutz. Picture: Getty

He said that long term a peaceful solution must be found, and talks around a two-state solution need to resume.

“What Hamas has done is push that further away, and deliberately so,” Sir Keir added.

Sir Keir also said waving a Palestinian flag on the streets could be an issue depending on the circumstances.

He told LBC: "It's very important that at times like this we don't conflate peaceful discussion of Palestinian issues with Hamas.

Smoke billows over Gaza city after Israel launched multiple airstrikes in retaliation for this weekend's attacks
Smoke billows over Gaza city after Israel launched multiple airstrikes in retaliation for this weekend's attacks. Picture: Alamy

"Now, the flags is a different situation. It really depends on the circumstances. If it's provoking or encouraging attacks that might be one thing, there might be other situations."

He added: "What we have seen is attacks on Jewish communities in north London and I know first hand that's having a huge impact on Jewish communities, and not for the first time."

His comments come as Israeli warplanes targeted neighbourhood after neighbourhood in Gaza overnight in retaliation for the deadly attack by Hamas on the weekend.

Hamas terrorists killed civilians including 40 children at one kibbutz in southern Israel
Hamas terrorists killed civilians including 40 children at one kibbutz in southern Israel. Picture: Getty

Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit the border crossing.

The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate.

Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza are still holding about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. Israel could launch a ground assault into Gaza.

360,000 military reservists have been called up by Israel.

New exchanges of fire over Israel's northern borders with attackers in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday pointed to the risk of an expanded regional conflict.

Rescue officials in Gaza said "large numbers" of people were still trapped under the remnants of flattened buildings, with rescue equipment and ambulances unable to reach the area.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hamas fired barrages of rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

On Tuesday night, a group of attackers entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gun fight with Israeli troops, the military said. Three Hamas were killed, and troops were searching the area for others.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Donald Trump to nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead Department of Health

France and Israel fans clash with police in Paris despite ramped up police presence following Amsterdam unrest

France and Israel fans clash amid ramped up police presence in Paris for UEFA Nations League game

c

'I hope I live to see the day': Ex-political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza shares wish to see Putin on trial for war crimes

M5 Motorway, Bristol, UK. 4th July, 2022. A rolling roadblock has been formed to protest the cost of fuel. Protestors have set off from Bridgewater and are holding up traffic by driving slowly along the M5 Motorway. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News

Teenager hit and killed in horror M5 collision after fleeing police car named

Exclusive
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet