Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived in Israel , and during his visit, he plans to vigorously advocate for the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This visit closely follows President Biden’s trip, as global leaders intensify their efforts to prevent the conflict involving Hamas from spreading throughout the broader region.
Mr. Sunak’s schedule includes a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, and he plans to visit other regional capitals as well. He will convey his condolences for the civilians who have tragically lost their lives in the ongoing war.
The prime minister stated, “Every civilian death is a tragedy,” before his trip.
Reports had emerged earlier this week about Rishi Sunak intended visit to Israel, although he did not confirm his travel plans until Wednesday evening.
James Cleverly
Simultaneously, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will engage with leaders in Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar in the upcoming days to seek support for a peaceful resolution in the Israel-Gaza conflict. He will also advocate for an agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza and the release of British hostages held by Hamas.
It’s worth noting that Defence Secretary Grant Shapps met with his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in Washington to coordinate their approach.
The government is determined to swiftly employ all available diplomatic tools. This is particularly in response to the anticipated Israeli ground offensive in Gaza.
High-ranking British officials are making these visits following US President Joe Biden’s trip to Israel, a visit overshadowed by a tragic explosion at a hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday.Mr. Biden suggested that the blast seemed to have resulted from a failed rocket launch by Palestinian militants, aligning with Israel’s account of the incident. However, Palestinian officials claimed that an Israeli airstrike had struck the hospital.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr. Sunak mentioned that British intelligence services were actively working to determine the responsible party behind the blast and urged MPs not to rush to judgment. In a subsequent statement, he emphasized the need for global leaders to unite and prevent further dangerous escalation of conflict in the wake of the attack on Al-Ahli Hospital. He also pledged to ensure that the UK plays a prominent role in these efforts.