SIR KEIR STARMER has moved to condemn the latest Israeli assault on the Palestinians of Gaza, finally diluting his unconditional support for the genocidal onslaught.

However, his shift does not extend as far as any fresh curbs on the British supply of arms to Israel.

The Prime Minister opened Commons questions telling MPs: “I am deeply concerned about the resumption of Israeli military action in Gaza.

“The images of parents carrying their young children to hospitals that have emerged over the last few days are truly shocking, alongside the number of people who have been killed.

“We will do all that we can to ensure the resumption of the ceasefire to get the remaining hostages out and aid that is desperately needed in.”

His words are the strongest rebuke he has made of the Israeli government in the course of the 18-month onslaught on Gaza and doubtless reflects continuing mass pressure on the government on the issue.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the government does not back the resumption of Israeli fighting.

But he indicated no change in the government’s policy of supporting arms sales to Israel in the likely event that the Netanyahu regime ignores Sir Keir’s strictures.

And the spokesman stuck to the line that Israel was merely “at risk” of breaching international humanitarian law with its complete blockade on any aid reaching the besieged Palestinians over the last fortnight.

Suspended Labour MP Zarah Sultana called out these equivocations, saying: “Israel has repeatedly defied the UN, its resolutions and international law. Member states must act.

“Yet at PMQs, the Prime Minister said his government is ‘doing all we can’ — except imposing sanctions, ending all arms sales, military support, trade and diplomatic ties with Israel.”

Since Israel broke the ceasefire on Monday, Gaza has endured the bloodiest days of the genocide to date, with more than 400 Palestinians dying, many of them children.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Tuesday night to urge the government to take a stronger stand on the Israeli aggression.

They braved the cold to condemn the Israeli attack and demand that Labour ends arms sales and takes steps to diplomatically isolate Israel.

Downing Street’s call for both sides to respect international law comes a day after Foreign Secretary David Lammy climbed down from claiming that Israel had broken international law by blocking aid shipments to Gaza.

Mr Lammy said he “could have been clearer” with his remarks in the Commons, which had prompted questions about the UK government’s position on the matter.