STEP BACK FROM BRINK

Starmer and Biden call on Israel to show restraint | Air campaign on Lebanon steps up amid Iran concerns

- CHRIS HUGHES

KEIR Starmer urged Israel to show restraint in a bid to bring the Middle East back from the brink of all-out war.

On the anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack, the PM warned the region cannot go through another year of conflict.

He paid tribute to the dignity of the families of the 251 hostages taken during the attack last year, when 1,200 people were killed.

But Mr Starmer also highlighted the enormous human toll of Israel's reprisals in the Gaza Strip.

He told the Commons: "Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, tens of thousands orphaned, almost two million displaced, facing disease, starvation, desperation, without proper healthcare or shelter. It is a living nightmare and it must end."

While around 97 Israel hostages are yet to be returned home, 6,400 Palestinians are also missing, with many believed to be buried under the rubble of buildings.