Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he understands calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, but argued it was not the "correct position" at the moment.
More than 60 Labour MPs have called for a ceasefire, but Sir Keir insisted his stance of calling for a humanitarian pause was "the only credible approach".
He said a pause would allow aid to get in to Gaza and for hostages to leave.
He argued that a ceasefire would leave Hamas's infrastructure intact, enabling them to carry out future attacks.
Addressing an audience in London, the Labour leader had sought to quell the growing tensions in his party over the conflict.
Mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and 15 frontbenchers are among those who have diverged from the official party line on the issue.
At least 250 councillors have also called for a ceasefire, with around 30 councillors resigning from the party over the leadership's position on the war.
Meanwhile, Andy McDonald [size=inherit]
has been suspended as a Labour MP[/size], over what the party described as "deeply offensive" comments at a pro-Palestinian rally.
