UK Labour leader hit by frontbench rebellion in Israel-Hamas vote

"Labour leader Keir Starmer was hit by a string of resignations from his frontbench in the

House of Commons on Wednesday night, after facing a rebellion from his MPs over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza. The vote calling for the ceasefire was defeated by 293 votes to 168, but eight of Starmer's frontbenchers resigned from the frontbench after supporting the amendment.
Labour MPs had been ordered to abstain on the vote and were told instead to back Starmer's position calling for longer "humanitarian pauses" rather than a ceasefire. The row over the Starmer's stance on Israel's war with Hamas has escalated in Labour in the past week.
Starmer -- who looks set to become Britain's next prime minister at an election expected next year, according to polling -- has refused to call for a permanent ceasefire.
Instead, the former human rights lawyer has called for a humanitarian pause to Israel's bombardment to allow much-needed aid to reach ordinary Palestinians unable to leave the coastal enclave.
His stance, however, has caused disquiet within the party." France24