The newly appointed foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, has landed in Israel, where he is meeting with officials, following the pause in fighting agreement between Tel Aviv and Hamas.
The former prime minister, Lord Cameron, took to X, formerly known Twitter, on Thursday to say he had met with Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen.
Commenting on the temporary ceasefire agreement that is expected to take effect on Friday, Lord Cameron expressed hope to see “progress on the humanitarian pause.”
The deal is meant to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and bring respite to war-weary Palestinians in Gaza. According to the agreement, brokered by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt, Israel would also have to free Palestinian prisoners.
“This is a crucial opportunity to get hostages out and aid into Gaza, to help Palestinian civilians who are facing a growing humanitarian crisis,” said the foreign secretary.
Lord Cameron said the attending ministers also discussed how the ceasefire deal could serve as a stepping stone for a long-term political solution in the region.
A viable two-state solution will provide security for Israel and stability for the Palestinian people, the foreign secretary said.
He would like to see humanitarian organisations bringing more fuel to Gaza hospitals and desalination plants, which supply 80 percent of the strip’s water.
Speaking about the Israel-Hamas hostage deal a day before his visit to Israel, Lord Cameron urged all parties to deliver on the agreement in full.
“This pause provides an important opportunity to ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel, and other life-saving aid can reach Gaza on a sustained basis,” he said.
The UK has doubled its aid commitment to Palestinians this year, confirmed the foreign secretary, vowing to work closely with the U.N., “to ensure it reaches those who need it.”
The ceasefire agreement is a fragile deal that could be broken at any moment, given the intensity and the geopolitical complexity of the conflict.
Israel said that until the truce is implemented, it will continue to target Hamas in Gaza.
“Lord Cameron should inform the Israeli government that the UK will now support a full, negotiated ceasefire on all sides in the interests of averting further civilian suffering for Palestinians and Israelis,” Mr. Deshmukh said.
Referring to the brokered four-day break in fighting, he argued that “short pauses are not enough.”
“Civilian lives in Gaza, Israel and the wider OPT are at stake, and the Foreign Secretary can help shift international momentum in the direction of respect for international law, de-escalation and life-saving aid access,” Mr. Deshmukh added.
Since the outbreak of hostilities in October, the UK has been committed to its backing of Israel and the nation’s right to defend itself. Lord Cameron’s visit to Israel follows the shadow foreign secretary’s trip to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Labour’s David Lammy vowed that his party will “work tirelessly” toward a two-state solution.
