AceBreakingNews – Rishi Sunak has pledged to stand with Israel in its “darkest hour,” adding he wanted the country to “win” its war with Hamas.

Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Oct.19: 2023: By Paul Seddon: Politics reporter: TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/+PuI36tlDsM7GpOJe

Speaking after a meeting with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the PM said the Palestinian people were “victims of Hamas too”.

He repeated the UK supported Israel’s right to self-defence, in line with international law.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel needed “continual support” for a “long war”.

The meeting between the two leaders is part of a two-day visit by Mr Sunak to the wider region. No 10 has confirmed he will visit Saudi Arabia later on Thursday, among trips to regional capitals.

Calling the Palestinian militant group the “new Nazis,” the Israeli PM called the conflict with Hamas a “battle of the entire civilised world”.

Israeli warplanes and artillery have been bombarding Gaza since more than 1,400 people were killed in the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October.

Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking cross-border supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.

Borrowing a phrase from Britain’s leader during World War Two, Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Netanyahu said the Hamas attack was “our darkest hour” and “the world’s darkest hour”.

Mr Sunak said: “I’m proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour as your friend.

“We will stand with you in solidarity, we will stand with your people. And we also want you to win.”

More on Israel-Gaza war

Mr Sunak added that the UK “absolutely” supported Israel’s right to defend itself, whilst adding this must be within international law. 

The UK prime minister said Israel was “taking every caution” to prevent harm to civilians – adding this was “in direct contrast” to Hamas.

Downing Street

Rishi Sunak met families in Israel whose relatives were taken hostage

He also said he appreciated Israel’s announcement on Wednesday it would not stop aid entering southern Gaza from Egypt.

However, Israel only agreed to allow food, water and medical supplies – not other much-needed supplies like fuel.

It also says it will not allow any aid to pass through its own territory until hostages taken by Hamas during its attack earlier this month are released. 

After an earlier meeting with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, No 10 said Mr Sunak hoped for “further progress” in delivering aid to Gaza.

Ceasefire calls 

Earlier, the prime minister said Israel had suffered a “horrific act of terrorism” at the hands of Hamas.

The visit comes directly after US President Biden’s, as world leaders step up efforts to prevent the conflict with Hamas spilling into the wider region.

After his trip to Israel, Mr Sunak is due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his trip to Saudi Arabia. Details for other legs of the trip have not yet been confirmed.

He has declined to back calls from the Scottish National Party and some Labour MPs for a ceasefire to protect civilians, insisting Israel has a right to “act against terrorism”.

Speaking to broadcasters, Mr Sunak said Israel had a “duty to protect its citizens” and that Hamas represented “pure evil”.

He added, however, that he was also seeking to stop the conflict escalating regionally.

The prime minister welcomed Israel’s decision to allow some aid into Gaza and said the UK was working closely with other countries, particularly Egypt, to ensure “that happens as quickly as practically possible”. 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told MPs on Wednesday that calls for ceasefires were “all well and good”, but he had seen no evidence that one would be respected by Hamas.

Mr Cleverly is on a diplomatic trip of his own, meeting his Egyptian counterpart earlier. He is also due to visit Turkey and Qatar. 

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