THE SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has demanded Parliament is recalled if Israel launch a full ground invasion in Gaza.
Speaking on Twitter/X, Flynn said "it'd be inconceivable for the doors of the UK Parliament to remain shut".
The UK Parliament is closing down in preparation for Charles's King's Speech on November 7, where he will set out the UK Government's plans for the final parliamentary session ahead of the next election.
Responding to the news that the IDF had expanded ground operations into Gaza, Flynn said: "If accurate, and a ground incursion is about to occur, it’d be inconceivable for the doors of the UK Parliament to remain shut.
"With UK citizens trapped in Gaza and potential for huge regional and international impact, a recall would have to take place to press for a ceasefire."
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement on Twitter/X that the UK Government "support[s] Israel's right to self defence" in line with International Human Law.
Israel is expanding their military campaign against Hamas. The UK’s top priority remains the safety of British nationals in Gaza and the region. We support Israel’s right to self defence, in line with IHL, and continue to push for the protection of Palestinian civilians.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) October 27, 2023
This comes as Gaza loses communication and internet amid Israeli bombardment.
First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed he was no longer able to contact his family, who had been trapped in Gaza for almost three weeks.
Gaza is under intense bombing. Telecommunications have been cut. We can't get through to our family who have been trapped in this war zone for almost 3 weeks. We can only pray they survive the night. How many more children have to die before the world says enough?
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) October 27, 2023
The First Minister, as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have all called for an immediate ceasefire.
However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer have not yet joined calls.
In a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sunak previously said "we want you [Israel] to win".
Starmer, in an interview with LBC, said Israel "has the right" to withhold power and water from Gaza.
He later backtracked on Wednesday in a statement on Twitter/X, where he said "we have repeatedly said that aid, fuel, water, electricity and medicines must be urgently ramped up both through what can come in through the Rafah crossing and through Israel turning back on the supplies it controls".
It’s clear that the amount of aid and essential utilities getting into Gaza is completely insufficient to meet the humanitarian emergency on the ground. pic.twitter.com/gtpSaDnaJY
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 25, 2023
Labour potentially face multiple frontbench resignations over Starmer's stance on Gaza, including shadow faith minister Sarah Owen and shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Hopkins.
Some 150 Labour councillors wrote to Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner on Wednesday urging an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza.
