From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
UK says Cameron’s Mideast visit will seek more aid for Gaza, hostage deal, sustainable ceasefire
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron is in the region “to get more aid into Gaza, hostages out and reach a sustainable, permanent ceasefire,” says the Foreign Office.
During his meetings in Israel and Qatar, Cameron will focus on achieving “an urgent humanitarian pause” in Gaza, says his office.
Cameron will also look to help efforts to release hostages, “pushing forward the cases of British and dual nationals through all diplomatic routes.”
The UK underscores that all hostages must be released, Hamas can no longer rule Gaza, and “the threat from their terror and rocket attacks must end.”
It also calls for the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza and ultimately assume responsibility for security there.
Cameron will ask Israel to let more aid into Gaza, and will raise concerns over civilian casualties there.
“No one wants to see this conflict go on a moment longer than necessary,” says Cameron in a statement. “An immediate pause is now necessary to get aid in and hostages out. The situation is desperate.”
Cameron will discuss the two-state solution with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, and will also visit Turkey to discuss regional stability and the war in Ukraine.
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