If any of us aren’t pretty scared and worried by what is going on in the Middle East, we probably should be.

Lib Dem MPs have been reacting to events as Israel steps up its actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran attacks Israel.

And all of this, at the heart, are people facing a humanitarian disaster, living in the most appalling conditions without food or shelter.

On Twitter this morning, Layla Moran said:

All my life my grandparents warned that if we didn’t achieve peace in Palestine it would risk wider war. With Iran’s actions overnight it seems we are inching closer to chaos rather than closure. I am so scared for my family and the future of the region. I pray I’m wrong to be.

On Iran’s attacks, Ed Davey said:

Liberal Democrats totally condemn Iran’s attacks on Israel. My thoughts are with all innocent civilians – in Israel and across the region – who are sheltering tonight.

The UK Government must do all it can to bring the region back from the brink of all out war, working closely with our allies. Too many innocent civilians have already been killed.

We must keep our focus on securing a lasting peace and a two state solution. Only diplomacy can deliver the security across the region that people so desperately need with the hostages home to their families and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On Monday, Calum Miller, our new Foreign Affairs spokesperson wrote to Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the deepening crisis:

He said:

We must pursue the conditions for peace despite the bleak outlook. I’ll continue to urge the Government to adopt the proposals made by Liberal Democrats at our conference earlier this month.

I have written to For Sec @DavidLammy about the deepening conflict in the Middle East.

We must pursue the conditions for peace despite the bleak outlook. I'll continue to urge the Government to adopt the proposals made by Liberal Democrats at our conference earlier this month. pic.twitter.com/tkiNVHFDS1

— Calum Miller (@CalumMillerLD) September 30, 2024

Those proposals include an immediate bilateral ceasefire, upholding the role of the international courts, enacting a presumption of denial for arms exports to countries designated by the Foreign Office as human rights risks, recognising the “existential threat” of Iran by conducting an audit of Iranian assets in the UK to freeze them.