The Prime Minister has expressed his condolences to his Israeli counterpart after the IDF recovered the body of a British national from the Gaza Strip. 

Six Israeli hostages previously held by Hamas, including the remains of British national Nadav Popplewell, were recovered by the IDF from the Gaza Strip.

According to a Downing Street spokeswoman, Netanyahu and Starmer also “discussed diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages, and the Prime Minister welcomed Israel’s support for the American ‘bridging proposal’ and emphasised the need to move quickly.

“Regional de-escalation was in everyone’s interests, as the impact of miscalculation would come at great costs for all sides, the leaders agreed.”

She additionally said that “The UK was steadfast in its support for Israel’s right to self-defence, and would continue to work with partners to uphold regional security, the Prime Minister added.

“The Prime Minister also urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to ensure greater access to detainees held by Israel, the increased delivery of aid to Gaza and to ensure international law was upheld at all times.”

Starmer has been under pressure to impose an arms embargo on Israel since taking office in July. Labour MP and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell urged the PM to “End the sales now” after a Foreign Office official resigned over arms sales, saying that there was: “no justification for the UK’s continued arms sales to Israel, yet somehow it continues”.

Before Parliament rose for recess last month, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that any change on the UK’s stance on exporting arms to Israel would only occur after “careful assessments of the law”.

On Sunday it was reported that Netanyahu snubbed a meeting with Lammy during his visit to Jerusalem after the UK withdrew its objection to the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for him and Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes.

Last week, Starmer held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and told him not to attack Israel in response to the killing of senior Hezbollah official Fuad Shukr in Beirut and the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran (for which Israel has not claimed responsibility) in late July.