Several shadow ministers, including Jess Phillips, Afzal Khan, and Yasmin Qureshi, resigned from their roles to support the SNP's motion calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Ten frontbenchers, including eight shadow ministers, left their positions due to the vote. Sir Keir Starmer had previously indicated that MPs holding shadow ministerial roles would be sacked if they supported the ceasefire.
The vote centered on an SNP amendment to a government motion and called for an end to the "collective punishment of the Palestinian people" and an immediate ceasefire. The amendment was defeated, with 125 votes in favor and 294 against, despite the support of the 56 Labour rebels who joined other opposition parties in demanding a ceasefire. The Conservative Party opposed the amendment.
The rebellion occurred amid demonstrations by pro-Palestinian supporters outside Parliament, urging a ceasefire. Sir Keir Starmer had proposed his own amendment outlining his position, which also supported Israel's right to self-defense and called for longer humanitarian pauses to allow aid into Gaza.
Sir Keir argued that a formal ceasefire would not be appropriate as it might freeze the conflict and embolden Hamas. Instead, both Labour and the Conservative government are advocating for "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza.