UK Foreign Secretary Miliband calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in first talks with Saar

What Happened

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband held his first official call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on August 11, 2026. During the discussion, Miliband called for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza, an immediate end to aid blockages, and a crackdown on settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Miliband also stated that Hamas must decommission its weapons and urged progress on a 20-point peace plan. The ministers additionally discussed shared strategic interests regarding Iran's nuclear program and the UK's commitment to a two-state solution.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The call marks a shift in tone from the newly appointed UK government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, reflecting internal political pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 73,000 deaths since October 2023. The diplomatic exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the UK's traditional strategic alignment with Israel and its stated commitment to international humanitarian standards and a two-state solution.

Watch For

Monitor for further developments regarding the 20-point peace plan mentioned by Miliband and any subsequent policy shifts in UK-Israel relations or potential changes to UK arms export policies toward Israel.