October 17, 2023
2 mins read

Sunak, Palestinian President discuss Gaza situation over phone

The statement noted that Sunak affirmed that Britain continues to support “a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel…reports Asian Lite News

In a phone call on the ongoing Mideast conflict, Britain’s prime minister and the Palestinian president on Monday agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation.

During the phone call with Mahmoud Abbas, Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians, said a statement by the UK Foreign Office,

Reiterating the UK’s position, Sunak said: “Hamas does not speak for ordinary Palestinians.”

Sunak and Abbas agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation and ensuring calm in the West Bank.

“The Prime Minister committed the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority in trying to establish peace and stability,” said the statement, adding that the two leaders discussed support for Gaza, including humanitarian aid and measures to protect civilians.

They also agreed that the international community “must intensify” efforts to break the cycle of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, it said.

The statement noted that Sunak affirmed that Britain continues to support “a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.”

Abbas’ Fatah movement is a rival to the Hamas group for leadership in the Palestinian territories, with Hamas in control of the Gaza Strip, which launched an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Gaza is undergoing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israel’s warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 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. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Since then the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

PM dials Erdogan

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a call on Monday that Western countries should refrain from “provocative steps” regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Turkish presidency said.

Erdogan also told Sunak that Western powers must “remember the unkept promises to Palestine and do what is necessary”, the presidency said on social messaging platform X. It said the two also discussed the resolution of the “grave humanitarian crisis” in Gaza.

ALSO READ-Sunak sparks Tory civil war over HS2 move

Previous Story

Trudeau’s Surprise Navratri Wishes Mark Diplomatic Turnaround

Next Story

Gaza resolution co-sponsored by Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia fails in UNSC

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan may face stricter IMF terms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will undertake its next funding review for Pakistan in the second half of 2025, with 11 new conditions now attached to the continuation of its Extended Fund

Indian diaspora in Japan backs Operation Sindoor

Members of the Indian diaspora in Japan have strongly endorsed Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and

What Sri Lanka Can Learn from Pahalgam

If Sri Lanka’s support for India in combating terrorism is genuine, how can Pakistan—widely accused of using terrorism as a tool against India—be treated as an equal partner….writes A. Jathindra While references
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Too many have been killed in Gaza, says Prince William

In 2018, William became the first senior British royal to

 Israeli Tanks Breach Gaza City

Israeli tanks and military vehicles pushed two miles into Gaza