The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu this afternoon. He expressed disappointment about the
breakdown of the pause in fighting in Gaza, which had allowed
hostages to be released. The leaders discussed urgent
efforts to ensure all remaining hostages are safely freed and to
allow any remaining British nationals in Gaza to leave.
The Prime Minister offered an update on his engagement with
leaders in the Middle East and reiterated his public remarks in
the region last week, stressing the need for Israel to take
greater care to protect civilians in Gaza and focus narrowly on
military targets.
The Prime Minister said more humanitarian aid had to be allowed
to enter Gaza, where civilians were in desperate need. He
reiterated offers of practical UK support to facilitate
deliveries of life-saving aid. He noted the pressure on the Rafah
crossing point and pressed the need to explore other routes into
Gaza, including via Kerem Shalom.
The leaders shared their concerns about increasing attacks by
Houthi militants, supported by Iran, against commercial shipping
vessels in the Red Sea. The Prime Minister stressed the UK’s
commitment to freedom of navigation and highlighted the
deployment this week of HMS Diamond, a Royal Navy Type 45
Destroyer, to bolster deterrence in the region and keep trade
routes flowing. He also said the UK would continue to support
efforts to de-escalate tensions and address the threat on
Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Finally, the Prime Minister welcomed commitments to address
extremist settler violence and intimidation, which was
destabilising the situation in the West Bank.
