British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office announced that he will arrive in Israel today, Thursday, and will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, before heading to other capitals in the region. Sunak's office stated that he will express condolences for the lives lost in Israel and Gaza since the attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, and will warn of the risk of further escalation of the conflict in the region.
In a statement before the visit, Sunak said, "Every civilian death is a tragedy. Many lives have been lost following the horrific terrorist act carried out by Hamas." He added that "the explosion at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, must be a pivotal moment for leaders in the region and around the world to work together to prevent more dangerous escalation of the conflict," pledging that Britain will be "at the forefront of this effort." Sunak will also call for a pathway for humanitarian aid to Gaza to be opened as soon as possible, enabling British citizens in the region to leave.
