UK criticises Israel's 'methods' in West Bank raid

The UK on Friday said it was "deeply" concerned by the Israeli military's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to "exercise restraint" and adhere to international law.

Israel's large-scale military operation in the occupied territory entered its third day Friday, with the death toll rising to at least 19.

Israel has described its raids on towns and refugee camps across the northern West Bank as "counter-terrorism" operations.

"We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," a spokesperson for the UK foreign ministry said.

The spokesperson added in a statement that the risk of regional instability was serious while "the need for de-escalation urgent".

The statement called on Israeli authorities to "exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions".

Britain also criticised comments made earlier this week by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a settler and proponent of West Bank annexation.

The senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government said he would build a synagogue at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound if he could.

"The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem," the spokesperson said.

"It is in no one's interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank."

Britain's centre-left Labour government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and for the speeding up of aid deliveries into there, since taking power early last month.

It has followed the same approach to the conflict as the previous Conservative government, with foreign minister David Lammy and other ministers at pains to demand Hamas release the hostages seized in its October 7 attacks as part of any ceasefire.

Some commentators have suggested however that the new government led by Keir Starmer -- a former human rights lawyer -- may take a tougher long-term stance towards Israel and how it conducts its military operations.

Labour says it is committed to recognising a Palestinian state "as a contribution to a renewed peace process" which results in a two-state solution.