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:
This story is from the October 26, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the October 26, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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