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Join on Telegram During his regional tour of the Middle East, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has pressed for a humanitarian pause in Gaza in talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, pushing for aid, ceasefire terms, and implementation of the two-state solution.
Rabat – On Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron held two talks with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority (PLO) President Mahmoud Abbas, pushing for an urgent humanitarian pause in Gaza, and the facilitation of aid.
During Cameron’s regional visit to the Middle East, he is expected to also hold talks with the leaders of Qatar, Türkiye, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Cameron is seeking to negotiate an “urgent” humanitarian pause, pressure Israel to expedite more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and appeal for the release of Israeli hostages in the Palestinian enclave.
However, the foreign minister maintains the stance that a permanent ceasefire is not achievable unless certain conditions are met, the Guardian reported on Wednesday. This includes Hamas releasing all hostages and halting all missile fire at Israel. Additionally, an agreement must be reached to allow the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza.
Describing the situation in Gaza as “desperate”, Cameron will advocate for the importance of a “two state solution”, the Guardian added.
However, this will prove a challenging task, as PM Netanyahu has already made it abundantly clear that is not an option for Israeli policy.
Cameron’s visits come as Qatar has been attempting to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Hamas, in order to push for a proposed two-month ceasefire, in which all Israeli hostages and a number of Palestinian political prisoners would be released.
Hamas has stressed that a permanent ceasefire is only possible with the removal of IOF forces from Gaza, and the release of all Palestinian political prisoners.
President Abbas met with Cameron in Ramallah, urging for a permanent ceasefire and the stoppage of IOF aggression on the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. He also expressed the vital need to expedite the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, according to news agency Anadolu Ajansı.
During the talks with Cameron, Abbas’ overarching message was to halt Israeli efforts to undermine a two-state solution,in addition to calling for the halt of Israeli aggression and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
In a statement published by the UK government, Cameron expressed the necessity for “an immediate humanitarian pause to get hostages out and aid in, leading to a sustainable cease-fire without a return to hostilities.”
During Cameron’s talks with Netanyahu, he pressured Israel to establish more crossing points into Gaza, and to support the United Nations in its aid relief efforts across the whole of Gaza, while ensuring the safety of medical personnel and facilities, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Cameron voiced his support for a sustainable political solution, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its support for Israel multiple times and backed its right to defend itself against Hamas, but has also called on the Israeli military to show restraint and act within international law in its offensive in Gaza.
The UK has stated its support for Israel throughout its campaign on Gaza, declaring Israel’s right to retaliate against Hamas. However, Westminster has also called on Israel to show restraint and act within international law in its offensive in Gaza, wrote Al Jazeera earlier this month.
Since October 7 2023, over 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died as a result of Israeli forces’ devastating campaign on Gaza, in which 60,000 have been injured and 85% of the Gazan population has been displaced.
