British Premier Sunak fails to endorse calls for cease-fire

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has failed to endorse cross-party calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Answering questions raised by opposition members of the parliament at the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sunak said Israel has a "right to defend itself, to protect its people and to act against terrorism and ensure that the awful attack we've seen from Hamas cannot happen again."

Sunak said Israel has made it clear that their armed forces will operate accordance with international law.

“And we will continue to urge the Israelis to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians,” Sunak said in response to a question raised by Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Stephen Flynn.

Thirty-seven parliamentarians, including 26 from the main opposition Labour Party, backed an early day motion urging Sunak and his Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to "press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, for the release of the Israeli hostages, an end to the total siege of Gaza and for unfettered access of lifesaving humanitarian aid."

Hundreds of people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials in the besieged enclave. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said in a statement that “an unprecedented catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes” and “Gaza is being strangled and the world seems to have lost its humanity.”

WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said the situation in Gaza is “spiraling out of control” and urged the need for violence to stop.