While Israeli officials reportedly said the visit had not been verified as an official one, the UK Foreign Office confirmed the group was part of a formal parliamentary delegation.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the move. “It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities.”

He added, “I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.”

Lammy also reiterated the UK’s focus on diplomacy amid the ongoing war in Gaza. “The UK government’s focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”

Israel resumed intense military operations in Gaza after a brief truce ended last month. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, 1,249 people have been killed since the renewed offensive, pushing the total death toll to 50,609.

The conflict was sparked by the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,218 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to AFP figures based on official Israeli data.-Agencies