British Foreign Secretary Lammy urges immediate ceasefire during visit to Israel

 

David Lammy called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories as foreign minister.

“I am here to ask for a ceasefire,” he said.

“The loss of life in recent months… is horrendous. It must stop.”

Mr Lammy also called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an increase in the flow of aid to the territory.

The newly appointed minister held talks on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.

He also met with relatives of hostages still held in Gaza who have links to the UK.

After the meeting, Sharon Sharabi, whose two brothers Eli and Yossi were taken hostage on October 7, said: “Mr Lammy promised to do everything he could to bring the hostages home. The UK Government has committed to being involved in a process with all relevant parties.”

In February, the Israeli military said Yossi Sharabi was killed and that it was likely the result of an IDF airstrike. His body is believed to still be in Gaza.

In his meeting with Mr Mustafa, Mr Lammy said the UK would do everything to achieve peace and stability, according to a statement published on X by the British Consulate in Jerusalem.

They discussed the role of an effective Palestinian Authority in achieving peace and Mr Lammy reiterated his support for Mr Mustafa’s government and its reform agenda, the statement said.

On Monday morning, Mr. Lammy met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“It is important that while we are at war, this war is conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law,” Mr Lammy said before the meeting.

“I will certainly be pressuring Israeli leaders on this issue in the coming days.”

The foreign secretary also expressed frustration at the lack of British aid trucks entering Gaza “after months and months of requests”, echoing long-standing complaints from aid agencies about deliveries being blocked or delayed by cumbersome inspections imposed by the Israeli military.

He said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was “appalling” and that the UK would provide an additional £5.5m to the medical charity UK-Med to fund its work in the territory.

After the meeting, Mr. Herzog said they discussed “the supreme mission of bringing the hostages home to their families.”

“The foreign minister made it clear that his country will continue to work and demand the release of all hostages,” he said.

Mr. Herzog said he had introduced Mr. Lammy to the family of Tamir Adar, who was killed on October 7 and whose body was taken to Gaza, and whose grandmother Yaffa was taken hostage and released as part of earlier deals.

He added: “The bonds between the British and Israeli peoples are as strong and robust as they are historic and of great impact, especially now, in addressing the challenges that lie ahead.”

Labour has recently faced backlash from some Muslim voters over its response to the conflict, which many feel is not sufficiently critical of Israel.

The new government must now make decisions on several key issues, including whether to limit or halt arms sales to Israel because of the loss of civilian life.

Asked about the sales, Mr Lammy said he would “look at the valuation and legal considerations”.

“The process has started and I hope to report to Parliament as soon as possible,” he added.

He also said he would issue a statement in the coming days on the future of UK funding to UNRWA, the main UN agency providing aid to Gaza.

The UK was among more than a dozen countries that suspended funding to the agency in January over allegations that several staff members were involved in the Oct. 7 attack, and is one of the few that have yet to restore it.

The Labour Party has also pledged to recognise a Palestinian state, although it has not yet said when it will do so.

Israel launched its operation in Gaza after the Hamas attack last October, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel would continue its war until all hostages were freed and Hamas was destroyed.

According to the Hamas-led Health Ministry, at least 38,584 people have been killed in Gaza during the Israeli offensive.
A United Nations-backed assessment last month found there was a “high risk” of famine in the territory, with nearly half a million people facing “catastrophic levels” of hunger.

The ministry also said at least 141 people had been killed in Israeli strikes since Saturday. Israel said one of those strikes, which hit a humanitarian zone, targeted Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.

He is the head of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, and is one of Israel’s most wanted men. He is believed to have been one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks. [BBC]

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