British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that he informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the necessity to allow more trucks loaded with aid into Gaza and to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to assist the Palestinians in the besieged enclave who are living in a "tragic situation." Cameron, who is visiting the Middle East and separately met with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, mentioned that Britain and Qatar are collaborating to deliver more aid to Gaza, with the first joint shipment containing tents being flown to Egypt on Thursday and then transported overland to Gaza.
Israel, which denies obstructing aid deliveries, has launched a aerial and ground war on Gaza following an attack by militants from the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 7, which Israel claims resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the taking of hostages, around 130 of whom are still held in Gaza. The ensuing Israeli attack on Gaza has led to the deaths of over 25,000 Palestinians and caused a humanitarian crisis, displacing most of the 2.3 million residents of the area, in addition to a severe shortage of food, water, medicine, and fuel.
Cameron stated, "The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. More must be done and done faster to help those trapped in this tragic situation. We have tripled our aid to Gaza. But our efforts will make a difference only if the aid reaches those who need it most." He added, "As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, more aid trucks must be allowed to reach Gaza, and more crossings must be opened. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid in and hostages out, followed by a permanent ceasefire."
Cameron's office noted that he urged Israeli leaders to use the Port of Ashdod to deliver aid to Gaza.
