THE Palestinian ambassador to the UK has said that we are about to see a “repeat” of Gaza in Lebanon.
The warning from Husam Zomlot comes after several days of deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon that have left hundreds dead.
The chief of the Israeli army said today that the military is preparing for a possible ground operation.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Wednesday that a total of 200,000 people have been displaced in the country since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel nearly a year ago, drawing Israeli retaliation.
Zomlot said that the world is seeing Israel deploy the "same tools, mindset, criminality and violation of the basic provisions of international law” as in Gaza.
Speaking at Labour conference just after Keir Starmer’s speech on Tuesday, he added: “600 Lebanese people have been killed indiscriminately in only the last 24 hours. We are about to see a repeat of the horrible, horrible last 11 months in Gaza.
“This is the only option Israel has and this is going to spread.”
Zomlot added that this was what Palestinians have been warning for the last year.
“Stop it before it's too late,” he said.
“Don't leave it to the whim of Netanyahu or the fanatics in the Israeli Government. This has got to be under the rule of law, the international rule of law.
“But unfortunately the US has failed, busy in its own elections. And the rest of the world is simply watching, issuing statements without any follow up and without any action.”
It comes as Keir Starmer addressed the UN Security Council with a plea for an end to the violence in both Lebanon and Gaza on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister said Benjamin Netanyahu’s government needed to do more to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The UK has deployed 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation of thousands of Britons.
Ahead of his appearance at the UN in New York, Starmer said: “In relation to Lebanon, I am very worried about the escalation.
“I’m calling for all parties to step back from the brink, to de-escalate. We need a ceasefire so this can be sorted out diplomatically.
“But I have a very important message for British nationals in Lebanon which is: the time to leave is now.
“The contingency plans are being ramped up but don’t wait for those, there are still commercial flights.
“It’s very important that they hear my message, which is to leave and to leave immediately.”
At the UN Security Council he called on all sides in the disputes in the Middle East to seek a diplomatic solution.
He said: “We must address the situation in Gaza. October 7 was the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“I utterly condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas. The ordeal of the hostages and their loved ones continues almost a year later.
“Six of them were killed in cold blood just a few weeks ago. So, I say again: let the hostages go.
“And we must face up to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza that continues to deepen by the day.
“Israel must grant humanitarian access to civilians in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law. There can be no more excuses.”
