Rishi Sunak expresses his solidarity with the Israeli people Photo: ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Rishi Sunak arrived in Israel “to express solidarity” with the country in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack as part of a two-day trip to prevent any escalation of violence in the wider region.
The Prime Minister landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday morning. before holding talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel.
“First of all, I am here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people. You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you,” Mr Sunak told reporters on the ground.
As part of the trip, he will urge Middle East leaders to “avoid further dangerous escalation”, saying “too many lives have been lost” already in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
No 10 said Mr Sunak plans to push for aid passage to the Gaza Strip and allowing those “trapped in the territory” to leave the 25-mile zone.
A Downing Street spokesman said he would share his condolences for the “horrific loss of life in Israel and Gaza over the past two weeks as a result of brutal Hamas terrorist attacks.”
He will call for Hamas’ “barbaric actions not intended to to “be a catalyst for further escalation of conflict in the region.”
On the eve of his departure, Mr Sunak said: “Every civilian death is a tragedy. Too many lives have been lost as a result of Hamas's horrific terrorist attack.
“The attack on Ahly Arab hospital must be a watershed moment for leaders in the region and around the world to come together to avoid further dangerous escalation of the conflict.
“I will ensure that the UK is at the forefront of this effort.” .
Rishi Sunak arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel ahead of talks with Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg /AP < p>The visit came after US President Joe Biden flew to Israel on Wednesday in a diplomatic attempt to prevent the fighting from escalating into a wider crisis.
Mr Biden urged Israel not to be “consumed” by anger after the deadly Hamas attack 7 October and not make the same “mistakes” that the United States made after September 11.
US President The trip appeared to mark a breakthrough: the Netanyahu administration announced that it had approved Biden's request to allow Egypt to deliver a limited amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip.
The first crack in the brutal 10-day siege of the territory came a day after a Gaza City hospital bombing killed hundreds people.
Hamas blamed Israel for the strike, and Tel Aviv pointed the finger at the missile. A misfire by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another militant group operating in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian Islamic Jihadrejected this statement.
Speaking at a Thursday morning news conference, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said British intelligence agencies were still working to establish the facts surrounding the explosion.
He accused some of what he said were “irresponsible speculation” , took place. led Arab leaders to cancel planned talks with the US President.
“The reason we will be so careful on this issue is because there is a price to pay for premature speculation,” he told Times Radio. “It now appears that this was speculation at best. and at worst – propaganda of a terrorist organization.”
Mr Tugendhat said he would not “name” those he believed were responsible for the speculation, but pointed to comments on social media .
The hospital deaths sparked protests across the Middle East, including scenes of anger. in Jordan and in the Lebanese capital Beirut, where hundreds of demonstrators clashed with security forces outside the US embassy on Wednesday.
Hezbollah, a key Hamas ally, also held a rally in the city.
Hezbollah, a key Hamas ally, also held a rally in the city.
Hezbollah, a key Hamas ally, also held a rally.
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The Foreign Office has since updated its travel advice to Lebanon, which borders Israel, advising against all travel to the country and urging British citizens currently there to “leave now while commercial options remain available.”< /p>
Mr Sunak's trip to the Middle East means he won't be in the UK when the results of the Tamworth and Midd Bedfordshire by-elections are announced early on Thursday, leaving the Conservatives fighting to once considered safe places.
Parallel to Mr Sunak's trip, Foreign Secretary James Cleverley will visit Egypt, Turkey and Qatar in the coming days to highlight the UK's message.
Mr. Mr Cleverley said: “It is in no one’s interest – not in Israel, not in Palestine, not in the Middle East – to involve others in this conflict.”
“I am meeting with colleagues from influential states in the region to insist on calm and stability, facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza and work together to free the hostages.”
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