UK's Labour Friends of Palestine says Israel is committing 'war crimes'

A pro-Palestine parliamentary group within the UK's Labour Party has described Israel's actions on Gaza as "war crimes", days after the party's leader came under fire for defending Israel's siege on the blockaded enclave.

Labour Friends of Palestine said in a statement on Sunday that Israel's air strikes, siege and forcible ejection of people in Gaza were "collective punishment of the Palestinian people". 

"The continuous horrific devastation on innocent Palestinians in Gaza has so far left thousands dead including hundreds of children. International Law also applies to Israel," the group said. 

Labour Friends of Palestine condemned Hamas and called for the release of Israeli hostages. 

It also said that Israel's decision to shut down electricity, food, water and medical supplies would "tip Gaza into catastrophe". 

"We were horrified to see the warning for 1.1m Palestinians to evacuate which, in our view, amounts to effective forcible transfer of half the population of Gaza," the group said.

Read more: UK's Labour Friends of Palestine says Israel is committing 'war crimes'