Foreign Secretary David Cameron met Jordanian leaders on Wednesday to push for a “sustainable ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas as part of his diplomatic trip around the Middle East.
The former prime minister, along with Rishi Sunak, has recently signalled a shift in the government’s attitude towards Israel and its continued war efforts against Hamas, with Cameron warning over the weekend that “too many civilians have been killed” in Gaza.
His visit to Jordan marks the new foreign secretary’s second trip to the Middle East since joining Sunak’s government. Prior to his arrival in Jordan Cameron said, "No-one wants to see this conflict go on for a moment longer than necessary. But for a ceasefire to work, it needs to be sustainable.
“If Israel is still facing Hamas in Gaza with rockets and terror tactics, not only will a ceasefire not be sustainable, a two-state solution in the longer term will also not be possible,” he added.
Cameron, who is also visiting Egypt for talks this week, said that Britain supports a ceasefire on the condition of long-term sustainability, and is expected to argue to Jordanian and Egyptian leaders that the continuation of Hamas’ control of Gaza constitutes a “roadblock” to a political solution.
Cameron’s proposal for a “sustainable ceasefire” includes the release of Israeli hostages and the allowance of aid and fuel into Gaza. On Wednesday morning, he visited the Jordanian Hashemite Charitable Organisation with HRH Prince Rashid and Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK Minister of State for the Middle East, to see firsthand how Jordanian humanitarian aid to Gaza is being distributed.
In a post on X, Cameron said a World Food Programme aid convoy from Jordan “has reached Gaza for the first time since October 7.
“The UK and Jordan are working together to get significantly more lifesaving aid to those who need it.”
On Wednesday Cameron also met Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi to discuss the administration of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who is primarily based in Doha, has travelled to Egypt with a "high level" delegation for ceasefire negotiation talks with Egypt's intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel. Both Egypt and Qatar have been pivotal to mediation talks between Israel and Hamas, helping to secure the week-long truce last month.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Tuesday that the country would be open to “another humanitarian pause” in the war in order to secure the release of more hostages and allow further humanitarian aid into Gaza, but Hamas has said that they will not free any hostages until Israel commits to a full ceasefire.
Cameron is expected to meet Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and foreign minister Sameh Shoukry while in Cairo this week for further discussions.
