UK premier, Israeli president discuss conflict, end of humanitarian pause in Gaza

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - At a meeting Friday with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the need to take "all possible measures" to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, according to his office.

At the meeting on the sidelines of a COP28 climate summit in Dubai, the UK premier and the Israeli president discussed the conflict and the end of a humanitarian pause in Gaza, it said.

"The Prime Minister once again emphasised the need to take all possible measures to avoid civilian casualties and significantly increase the flow of aid to Gaza," it said.

It added that the two leaders discussed ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of all hostages, while Sunak reiterated the UK’s "unwavering support for Israel’s fundamental right to defend itself against terrorism."

The British premier raised the importance of de-escalating tensions in the West Bank "to support longer term peace and security," according to the statement.

The Israeli army resumed attacks across the Gaza Strip after the end of the humanitarian pause, causing hundreds of casualties among Palestinians.

At least 109 Palestinians were killed and several others injured as Israel resumed striking various areas in the Gaza Strip following the end of the pause, said the Health Ministry in Gaza.

The pause between Israel and Hamas went into effect Nov. 24.