British prime minister visits Israel ‘to express solidarity’

By Abdel Rauf Arnaut

JERUSALEM (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Israel on Thursday for a visit aimed at showing solidarity with Tel Aviv amid its ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

“I’m pleased to be here in Israel at this important time,” Sunak said in statements upon his arrival.

“Above all, I’m here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people,” he said. “I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you.”

Sunak is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog during his visit, according to his office.

The visit comes amid a massive Israeli air campaign on the Gaza Strip, taking many civilian lives, following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas into Israeli border towns.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began 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.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with electricity cut off, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

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

The visit also comes just days after Tuesday’s Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza killed some 500 people.

US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel on Wednesday was seen by some international observers as tacit support for the airstrike, though Biden said the deaths left him “deeply saddened.” He also echoed Israel’s claim that they had not bombed the hospital.

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.​​​​​​​