French and British ministers fear 'full-scale' war in Middle East

Lammy and Sejourne say region facing pivotal moment amid growing tension between Israel and Iran

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, left, meeting Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Bloomberg

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British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that now is a “perilous moment” for the Middle East amid fears of escalation between Israel and Iran.

Mr Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne spoke out about their concerns on Sunday as international efforts continued in a bid to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Israel on Sunday to push for an end to hostilities.

“Fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah has intensified,” Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne wrote in an article in The Observer.

“Iranian threats of further escalation mean the risks of a full-scale regional war are rising.

Protesters gather in Tel Aviv to demand Israel's government take action to secure the release of hostages seized by Hamas on October 7. Getty Images

“One miscalculation, and the situation risks spiralling into an even deeper and more intractable conflict. This cycle, with its tendency towards escalation, is making progress towards a political solution harder.”

Despite two days of talks between the US, Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, 19 people were killed on Saturday night, including a woman and her six children, by Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Also on Saturday, at least 10 Syrian citizens were killed in an Israeli attack on a Hezbollah arms warehouse in Lebanon.

Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne said the world is witnessing a “destructive cycle of violence”.

Their concerns over escalation have been heightened since Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran late last month.

“An all-out conflict across the region is in nobody’s interests,” Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne wrote.

“All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences, not least in undermining current Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

An injured father comforts his daughter. AFP

The school playground, in a screengrab from video. AP

A woman identifies a family member among the dead. AFP

People at a Gaza city hospital carry the body of a family member killed in a strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians. AFP

The destroyed school. Reuters

A child at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir Al Balah on August 10, in front of a man cradling the body one a family member, killed in an Israeli strike on their home in Nuseirat, Gaza. AFP

An injured girl at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital. AFP

“Our engagement reinforces our conviction that urgently securing such a deal is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. Only a deal can relieve civilian suffering. Only a deal can restore communities’ sense of security.

“Only a deal can open up the space for progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Mr Lammy and Mr Sejourne visited Israel on Friday, when they met Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.

The two ministers also visited the Palestinian territories, in the first British-French visit to the region in more than 10 years.

“There is no time for delays or excuses from all parties on a ceasefire deal,” they said.