Ankara: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Tuesday that the UK is prepared to impose additional sanctions on Israel if a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not secured within weeks. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated this at the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizing that the government would 'go further' in taking action against Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lammy's remarks come after a coordinated sanctions move last month by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway. These sanctions targeted Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for what London described as "egregious abuses" of human rights in Gaza. The measures included travel bans and asset freezes.

While the UK faces increasing pressure, including from senior Labour figures and trade unions, to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, Lammy refrained from committing to a specific timeline. 'I'm not going to tie myself to a calendar because it's convenient for a soundbite,' he said, stressing that ceasefire negotiations are delicate and any recognition move must be assessed based on whether it brings meaningful change on the ground.

Lammy also pointed out that despite growing international recognition of Palestine by countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Norway, 'what we've seen is further annexation on the West Bank.' He suggested that recognition alone has not advanced peace efforts, indicating the complexity of the situation and the need for a more comprehensive approach.