SIR Keir Starmer warned Israel yesterday against its move to occupy the entire Gaza Strip — saying it would “only bring more bloodshed”.
In a strongly worded statement, the PM said: “The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately.
“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or help secure the release of the hostages.
“It will only bring more bloodshed.”
Leaders across Europe and the Middle East also hit out against the plan.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced he would stop exporting weapons that could be used in Gaza.
But the US struck a markedly different tone.
Mike Huckabee, Donald Trump’s ambassador to Israel, said: “It’s not our job to tell them what they should or should not do.
“Certainly, if they ask for wisdom, counsel, advice, I’m sure the President would offer it.
“But ultimately, it’s a decision that the Israelis and only the Israelis can make.”
It came after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News the plans would let terror group Hamas be cleared out.
He claimed that Israel would then hand it over to “Arab forces that will govern it properly”.
But Israel’s opposition has condemned the plans, as well as the army.
Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said it would be “tantamount to walking into a trap”.