UK premier, Jordan's king discuss steps to prevent further escalation in Middle East

By Behlul Cetinkaya

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held talks Sunday with Jordan's King Abdullah II on the latest developments in the Middle East.

Sunak and King Abdullah met at 10 Downing Street, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.

During the meeting, Sunak reiterated Britain’s support for "Israel’s right to defend itself following last week’s terrorist attack and said Hamas’s abhorrent actions should not undermine the just cause of the Palestinian people."

The two leaders also discussed diplomatic steps that could be taken in collaboration with Palestinian and Israeli authorities to prevent a further escalation in the region.

The two leaders also reached a consensus on taking necessary measures to protect civilians, including British and Jordanian citizens caught in the midst of attacks in Gaza, and on delivering humanitarian aid to those in need.

The statement also included an expression of gratitude from Sunak to King Abdullah for the support provided by Jordan to British citizens wishing to leave the occupied Palestinian territories and said the leaders agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days and weeks.

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip last weekend in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers' growing violence against Palestinians.

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

Israel's response has extended to cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern Strip to evacuate to the southern region.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,670, the local Health Ministry said Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said that 750 children were among the dead. The number of wounded has risen to 9,600, it said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s general death toll so far stands at 1,300 while the number of confirmed injured Israelis exceeds 3,400.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul