Israel still has a right to defend itself from Hamas but the “terrible conflict” in Gaza must come to an end, Rishi Sunak has said.
The Prime Minister used a statement six months on from the Oct 7 terror attacks in which around 1,200 Israelis were massacred to call for peace in the region “for the good of both Israelis and Palestinians”.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Sunak said: “We continue to stand by Israel’s right to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend their security.
“But the whole of the UK is shocked by the bloodshed, and appalled by the killing of brave British heroes who were bringing food to those in need. This terrible conflict must end.
“The hostages must be released. The aid, which we have been straining every sinew to deliver by land, air and sea, must be flooded in. The children of Gaza need a humanitarian pause immediately, leading to a long-term sustainable ceasefire.”
The Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry claims more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli bombardment of the West Bank, but its figures are unverified and do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
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