Foreign Secretary to visit Israel, the Occupied
Palestinian Territories, Qatar and Turkey to hold high-level
talks with regional leaders to get more aid into Gaza, hostages
out and reach a sustainable, permanent
ceasefire.
will focus on advancing
discussions with the Israelis and Qataris for an urgent
humanitarian pause in Gaza
He will build on efforts to secure the safe release of
hostages, pushing forward the cases of British and dual nationals
through all diplomatic routes.
The Foreign Secretary travels to the Middle East and Turkey this
week where he will urge regional leaders to work with the UK to
achieve a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, so that Israelis and
Palestinians can build a peaceful future
together.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have set out the
necessary elements for progress – Hamas must agree to the release
of all hostages, they can no longer be in charge of Gaza and the
threat from their terror and rocket attacks must end. An
agreement must also be put in place for the Palestinian Authority
to return to Gaza in order to provide governance and services
and, increasingly, security.
In Israel, the Foreign Secretary will speak to Prime Minister
Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz, calling for more to be done,
more quickly to significantly increase the flow of life-saving
aid into Gaza. He is also expected to raise UK concerns over the
high number of civilian causalities.
The Foreign Secretary will reiterate that more crossing points
need to be open for longer for aid deliveries to Gaza, including
the port at Ashdod and the Kerem Shalom crossing, and that water,
fuel and electricity must be restored during his
meetings.
Foreign Secretary said:
No-one wants to see this conflict go on a moment longer than
necessary. An immediate pause is now necessary to get aid in and
hostages out. The situation is desperate.
This week I am in the Middle East working with partners to help
build a plan to move from that pause to a sustainable, permanent
ceasefire without a return to hostilities.
Such a plan would require Hamas to agree to the release of all
hostages, Hamas to no longer be in charge of Gaza launching
rocket attacks at Israel, and an agreement in place for the
Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza in order to provide
governance and services and, increasingly, security.
The Foreign Secretary will also meet with President Abbas and
will highlight the UK’s long-term support for a two-state
solution so that Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side
in peace.
In Qatar, will see first-hand UK-Qatar
co-operation to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza for those who
need it most, and meet counterparts to discuss how the two
countries can work more closely together to do even
more.
He will also hold detailed talks on efforts to secure the safe
release of hostages, pressing the cases of British and dual
nationals through as many diplomatic channels
possible.
Qatar has been a key mediator throughout the conflict to allow
for the release of hostages. It is important the UK continues to
work with Qatar, and others in the region, to secure a
sustainable ceasefire and the release of all further hostages
held by Hamas.
The UK is working with both Qatar and Turkey to address regional
instability, seeking the safe return of hostages, working
together to tackle terrorism and support those affected by
conflict.
In Turkey, the Foreign Secretary will meet Turkish Government
leaders to discuss regional security in the Middle East alongside
a range of other shared challenges. The UK and Turkey have a
close partnership and will continue our essential work on
tackling terrorism and illegal migration and shoring up support
for NATO and Ukraine.
