Ehud Olmert, the former PM of Israel from 2006-2009, has offered a damning condemnation of Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Speaking to Ben Kentish, Olmert said Netanyahu is 'close' to committing war crimes in Gaza, following the launch of a new offensive in the Strip.
Olmert also added that he believes the country is being run by 'thugs' and that 'a majority of Israelis do not support [Netanyahu's government]'.
He was asked by Ben if he is concerned Israel could become a 'pariah state' as it draws condemnation from the UK, France and Canada in a joint statement.
Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip is "expanding to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and capture large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel", a statement from Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Defense, said on Wednesday.
He called on Gaza residents to "expel Hamas and return all hostages".
The militant group still holds 59 captives, of whom 24 are believed to still be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Mr Katz did not specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which includes the "extensive evacuation" of the population from fighting areas.
"This is the only way to end the war," Mr Katz said.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take “concrete actions” unless he changes course.
The Prime Minister, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, called for a halt to Israel’s military offensive and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Mr Netanyahu’s government said it would allow a “basic” amount of aid into Gaza to prevent a “hunger crisis” from developing.
The Israeli prime minister acknowledged there was international pressure from his allies on the issue.
In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable."
