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The Israel-Hamas war “must end”, Rishi Sunak said in a statement marking six months since the October 7 attack that sparked a brutal conflict in the Middle East.
The prime minister said that six months later, “Israel’s wounds are still far from healed,” while “hunger and despair” continue to cause “civilian casualties” in Gaza. [and] A terrible loss of life. ”
He reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian halt in the region that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire, arguing that it was “the quickest way to rescue and rescue hostages and stop the fighting and loss of life.”
“This terrible conflict must end. The hostages must be freed. We must pour in all the aid we have worked so hard to deliver by land, air and sea. “No,” the Prime Minister added.
Mr Sunak said the UK “continues to support Israel’s right to defeat the Hamas threat”, but added: “The whole of Britain is shocked by the bloodshed and the brave British soldiers who brought food to people in need… “I am appalled that a hero was killed.” ”.
It comes as pressure mounts on the government to toughen its stance on Israel after an Israeli airstrike on Monday killed seven aid workers, including three British nationals.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that the attack on an aid vehicle belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) was a “grave mistake.”
The Israel Defense Forces has fired two senior officers following an investigation into a drone strike that killed British WCK personnel John Chapman, James Henderson, James Kirby and four others.
Lawmakers across the political spectrum have called on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel in the wake of the attack, but the prime minister is reportedly poised to resist the call.
The airstrikes have heightened dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions during the conflict. US President Joe Biden issued his strongest condemnation of Israel earlier this week since the conflict began.
Biden called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip during a 30-minute phone call with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, signaling a sharp change in rhetoric and a widening rift between Israel and its closest ally. did.
He said future U.S. aid to Israel depends on whether Netanyahu takes “measurable steps” to protect civilians in Gaza. This calls into question Washington’s continued provision of significant military aid and diplomatic support to Israel since the start of the conflict.
At least 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the first 182 days of the war, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. This figure is believed to be a conservative estimate, and there are growing concerns that the death toll could continue to rise as the flow of aid to Gaza remains restricted.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron has called for 500 food trucks to be allowed into Gaza each day, but in recent months only an average of 159 a day have passed through.
The October 7 attack on Israel killed about 1,200 people and captured more than 250, according to Israeli authorities.
The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it had recovered the body of a man held hostage in Gaza during the October 7 attack.
Elad Katzir’s body was discovered in an overnight raid on Khan Yunis, after Israeli nationals were taken hostage at Kibbutz Nir Oz during a Hamas attack on southern Israel.