David Lammy today called on Hezbollah to ‘cease their attacks’ following a rocket strike on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
The Foreign Secretary admitted he was ‘deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation and destabilisation’ in the Middle East following yesterday’s incident.
Israel has blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s strike, which the Israeli military said killed 12 children and teenagers.
But the Lebanese militant group has denied responsibility and claimed one of Israel’s own missiles may have ‘missed and backfired’.
Members of the Druze community look at a damaged fence and scattered objects at a football pitch, a day after 12 people were killed in a rocket strike in Israeli-controlled Golan Heights
Mourners surround the bodies of some of the 12 children and teens killed in a rocket strike in the village of Majdal Shams
Foreign Secretary David Lammy admitted he was ‘deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation and destabilisation’ in the Middle East following the incident
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Lammy wrote: ‘The UK condemns the strike in Golan Heights that has tragically claimed at least 12 lives.
‘We are deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation and destabilisation. We have been clear Hizballah must cease their attacks.’
US secretary of state Antony Blinken said earlier that ‘every indication is that indeed the rockets, or the rocket, was from Hezbollah.’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hezbollah ‘will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far’.
The Israeli military said it struck targets inside Lebanon overnight.
Since October 8, a day after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, Israel and Hezbollah have been trading fire, but cross-border fighting has ramped up in recent weeks.
Israel and Hamas are currently considering a ceasefire proposal to end the nearly 10-month war and free around 110 hostages still being held in Gaza.
Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary and Mr Lammy’s Cabinet colleage, this morning reiterated Labour’s demand for an ‘immediate ceasefire’.
He told Sky News: ‘I’m sure anyone that has seen the latest images… it’s heartbreaking to see what’s going on and it’s such a painful human reminder of why we need to get to a situation where the fighting can stop.
‘So the newly elected Labour Government is calling for an immediate ceasefire, respected by both sides. That’s very important.
‘The immediate release of the hostages that have been held since that atrocity on 7 October by Hamas.
‘Unimpeded aid into Gaza so we can support those people immediately, and start to rebuild it
‘And then pressure from the whole international community to work towards a two state solution, which is the only way that we get lasting peace.
‘A secure Israel and an independent and sovereign Palestine side by side.’
