Humza Yousaf said Israel has “gone way beyond a legitimate response” and allies like the UK must press for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The First Minister said Israeli government and military officials must be held to account for “indiscriminate” killing of thousands of civilians.

He called on the UK Government to call for an immediate ceasefire.

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Yousaf said the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which saw more than 1000 people killed and more than 200 people taken hostage was "appalling" and it must also be held to account.

The First Minister, said: “The time has come for the UK Government to speak out forcefully and make it clear that Israeli action has gone way beyond a legitimate response to the appalling Hamas attack of 7 October.”

The response from Israel, said Yousaf, is leading to a “humanitarian disaster”.

He said: “The UK Government must make clear that Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli Ministers and military commanders will be held accountable for the killing of thousands of innocent civilians and the deaths of tens of thousands more from starvation and disease if Israel does not immediately cease indiscriminate attacks and allow aid to enter Gaza on the scale needed to avert a humanitarian disaster.

“Hamas leaders must also be held accountable for the appalling attacks against Israeli civilians on 7 October.”

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Yousaf said the UK as a trusted ally should use its position to bring an end to civilian deaths and children being killed.

The United Nations has warned that almost 2 million people are being squeezed into an ever-smaller area in Gaza and said 40% of the population of Gaza is now at risk of famine due to “catastrophic hunger”.

Yousaf spoke out against the displacement of people in the region.

He added: “Hearing comments from an Israeli Government Minister urging displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is deeply disturbing and should be universally condemned.

"Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state - Gazans should not be subject to forcible displacement or relocation from Gaza.”

Meanwhile, Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said Israel alone should not be allowed to decide what happens to Gaza once its war with Hamas is over.

Starmer called for international involvement, including from neighbouring Arab countries, in the future of Gaza, and said Israeli occupation of the Strip should not be the answer.

He also called for a "humanitarian truce" in the fighting.