UK premier, Israeli president agree on importance of delivering urgent humanitarian support to Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday agreed on the importance of delivering immediate humanitarian aid to embattled Gaza.

The assertion emerged during their meeting in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv, where the British prime minister arrived "to express solidarity" with Israel following Oct. 7 attacks.

"The Prime Minister and President Herzog agreed on the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support to ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are also suffering," according to a statement by Sunak's Office.

Expressing his condolences for the victims of the conflict, he also reiterated the UK's support to Israel as well as saying he "firmly believes in the country’s right to self-defense in line with international law."

"The Prime Minister welcomed yesterday’s announcement that Israel would not stop aid from entering Gaza," noted the statement, adding that Sunak also expressed hope that more progress could be made on delivering crucial food, water, and medicine.

He also thanked Herzog for the support Israel has provided to British nationals caught up in the attacks.

The two also stressed the "imperative need" to avoid further escalation of violence in the region.

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 at least 471 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.​​​​​​​