Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has warned Israel risks losing its “legal” and “moral” authority if it continues with its “killing rage” in Gaza, as he appealed to all sides to pursue a two-state solution.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Wallace insisted he was not calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region, but for Israel to “stop this crude and indiscriminate method of attack”.

If not, he said the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government could “fuel the conflict for another 50 years” and “radicalise Muslim youth across the globe”.

Israel-Gaza war latest: Major Gaza road a ‘battlefield’ as fighting continues in south

Mr Netanyahu has been criticised over the country’s tactics against Hamas following the group’s terror attacks on 7 October, which Israel has said saw 1,200 people killed and 240 more taken hostage.

While Israel has been given support by some to defend itself, there has been growing concern over the impact on civilians in the Gaza Strip during its ground and air offensive.

Over the weekend, there was a shift in language from the UK government, with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron joining Germany in calling for a “sustainable ceasefire”, saying that “too many civilians have been killed”.

UK’s new defence secretary and what it means for Ukraine

Rishi Sunak’s risky move: Hiring military novice Grant Shapps as defence secretary at a time of war in Europe

Grant Shapps appointed UK’s new defence secretary, Downing Street says

In his article, former Army officer Mr Wallace pointed to his experience during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, saying actions like internment showed “a disproportionate response by the state can serve as a terrorist organisation’s best recruiting sergeant”.

He said he was “unequivocal” in his condemnation of Hamas, but while going after the organisation is “legitimate… obliterating vast swathes of Gaza is not”.

Mr Wallace added: “We are entering a dangerous period now where Israel’s original legal authority of self-defence is being undermined by its own actions.

“It is making the mistake of losing its moral authority alongside its legal one.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Pointing to Israel’s prime minister, he wrote: “I am sure that the shame Benjamin Netanyahu feels for not foreseeing the 7 October attacks is deep, especially for someone who presented himself as a security hawk and tough guy.

“But perhaps that shame is driving him to lose sight of the long term.

“Netanyahu’s mistake was to miss the attack in the first place. But if he thinks a killing rage will rectify matters, then he is very wrong. His methods will not solve this problem.

“In fact, I believe his tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. His actions are radicalising Muslim youth across the globe.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Mr Wallace also criticised Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, who in an interview with Sky News last week dismissed a two-state solution after the conflict ends.

“She is wrong,” he wrote. “There must be. It has been the answer ever since the creation of modern-day Israel.”

But he claimed that once the IDF had withdrawn from Gaza, moderate Palestinian voices calling for a two-state solution would face “extinction” and “international sympathy will have expired”, with Israel “forced to exist in an even greater state of siege” as Hamas would still exist.

The former minister added: “The path to peace, just like in Northern Ireland, means we have to keep trying and do all we can to marginalise the extremes.

“With the Oslo accords, we came close to realising a two-state solution. Now is the time to re-energise that process.”

Related posts:

Iran set to enrich uranium to highest level ever – after ‘attack’ at nuclear facility blamed on Israel ‘Potential hijack’ as armed attackers believed to have seized tanker off UAE coast Monkeys raid homes in Bali after losing out on food from tourists due to COVID restrictions NZ terror suspect thought to have tried to travel to Syria four years ago Djokovic not told ‘so-called medical exemption’ would be accepted – government says Meghan will join Prince Harry at Invictus Games in The Hague New arms race speeds up as US tests hypersonic weapon Hungary’s top weather officials sacked after ‘wrong’ forecast leads to postponement of fireworks Two killed, including six-year-old boy, after car driven into crowd at Jerusalem bus stop ‘Children under the rubble are not terrorists’: Syrian rebels plead for urgent international help following quake There’s plenty of scope to misjudge – Imran Khan’s arrest could play into his hands but it could also inspire violence Jenni Hermoso files complaint over ‘unsolicited kiss’ at World Cup