Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas in a conversation with Egypt’s president.
In a phone call with Abdel Fattah El-Sisi yesterday, his first since becoming Prime Minister, Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to a strong partnership with Egypt.
He also echoed his desire for more humanitarian aid to be delivered across Gaza and the UK’s commitment to a two-state solution through a peace process.
The Egyptian president also congratulated Starmer on his election.
The conversation between the two leaders yesterday comes amid a further push to finalise a ceasefire agreement between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.
In a joint statement, United States President Joe Biden, President Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani urged both sides to return to negotiations next week in either Cairo or Doha.
Earlier this week, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s comments that it was “justified and moral” to block humanitarian aid going into the Gaza Strip were condemned by Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Lammy posted on twitter that, “International law could not be more clear - the deliberate starvation of civilians is a war crime. There can be no justification for Minister Smotrich’s remarks and we expect the wider Israeli government to retract and condemn them.”
International law could not be more clear - the deliberate starvation of civilians is a war crime.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 7, 2024
There can be no justification for Minister Smotrich’s remarks and we expect the wider Israeli government to retract and condemn them.
Before Parliament rose for recess, there were widespread reports that the government was considering implementing an arms embargo on Israel, something which they have denied is in place and a decision will reportedly be made later this summer.
The Foreign Secretary told MPs that any change in the government’s position would only occur after “careful assessments of the law”.
Although, evidence seen by the JC showed that the government had already begun to suspend arms export licences to Israel while ministers carry out a policy review.
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