Rishi Sunak said he is “deeply concerned” about an Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Speaking during a visit to a north London community centre, the Prime Minister said: “I’ve been very consistent that we are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military incursion into Rafah, given the number of civilians that are sheltering there and the importance of that crossing for aid.
“I’ve made those points repeatedly to Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he said. “The priority right now should be on all parties, but particularly Hamas, to agree to a deal to release hostages and allow more aid to go in as part of a temporary pause, which will allow us to build a sustainable ceasefire. That’s the best way to end the suffering. And that’s what I continue to call on all parties to do.”
Sir Keir Starmer and other senior Labour figures earlier urged Israel not to go ahead with an offensive in the Rafah area.
Despite growing international opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has vowed to attack Hamas in Rafah in order to achieve “total victory”.
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