PM Backs Pause In Conflict To Allow Aid Into Gaza Strip

Rishi Sunak has backed “pauses” in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow crucial aid into Gaza amid warnings fuel could run out within hours – but he rejected calls for a ceasefire.

- KATE DEVLIN, ARCHIE MITCHELL

Short breaks in hostilities could allow hostages and British nationals out of the besieged enclave, the prime minister said yesterday.

But a wholesale ceasefire would only benefit Hamas, two weeks after it killed 1,400 people in Israel and seized more than 200 hostages, No 10 said.

The health ministry in Gaza said more than 5,700 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, including 2,300 children.

Mr Sunak’s call echoes that of the United States, the United Nations and other countries for specific pauses, as distinct from a ceasefire, to alleviate what many fear is becoming a full-scale humanitarian crisis as water, medical supplies and fuel run out.

More than 80 MPs have urged the government to call for a ceasefire, as five UK nationals remain missing, some of whom are believed to be hostages in Gaza.

It comes as Labour was plunged into crisis over its stance on Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, with Sir Keir Starmer also under mounting pressure from Muslim MPs and others to call for a ceasefire.

Mr Sunak’s intervention follows: