Rishi Sunak has called for increased humanitarian access to Gaza after the first aid convoy was allowed to enter from Egypt. The Prime Minister said the world faced an “acute humanitarian crisis” in the territory and that he wanted to see a “stream of trucks” passing through the Rafah Crossing.
Writing in The Telegraph, the Prime Minister – who visited Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week said the UK supported “absolutely” Israel’s right to defend itself against the “murderous enemy” and it had a duty to restore the country’s security and bring its hostages back following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Israel has laid siege to Gaza and subjected the Hamas-controlled territory to days of bombardment and air strikes, with the intensity expected to increase in the coming days ahead of a possible ground offensive.He said: “We need to see a stream of trucks rolling through that crossing to bring aid to the civilian population. We also need to see all water supplies to Gaza restored where physically possible. All sides should commit to the sanctity of UN installations, hospitals and shelters.
He said the opposition of Hamas to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine showed “we must ensure Hamas does not win”, and that the Gaza conflict does not spiral into a wider war. ActionAid Palestine spokesman Riham Jafari said the Rafah crossing convoy was “barely a drop in the ocean” and called for a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors.