London, Thanasis Gavos

The UK’s “deep concern” over civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip and the “potentially devastating humanitarian impact of the military incursion into Rafah” was conveyed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Thursday.

While reiterating his government’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense, Mr. Sunak stressed that the immediate priority must be to reach a humanitarian ceasefire that would allow the safe release of Hamas hostages and the delivery of “significantly more” humanitarian aid. aid to Gaza. Such a pause would lead to a longer-term sustainable ceasefire, he added.

The British leader asked his Israeli counterpart to fully open the Kerem Shalom land crossing, but also to allow the delivery of international aid by sea from the port of Ashdod.

At the same time, he pointed out to Mr. Netanyahu the importance of observing international humanitarian law and the protection of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and shelters.

According to Downing Street, Rishi Sunak also said that tensions and undermining of security in the West Bank must be avoided and that in the longer term the UK “believes that a viable two-state solution is the best way to achieve peace and security with duration”.

Also on Thursday, Mr Sunak welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah to Downing Street, with whom they agreed that reaching a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was a “critical first step” in ending the conflict in the Middle East.

The British prime minister expressed to the Jordanian king his deep concern about the humanitarian consequences of an Israeli attack on Rafah and discussed the need to strengthen the Palestinian Authority to ensure security and prosperity in the West Bank.