Rishi Sunak has called for “pauses” in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow aid into Gaza – and hostages and British nationals out – but he stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.
No 10 said “pauses” in the conflict could help alleviate what many fear is becoming a full-scale humanitarian crisis as water, medical supplies and fuel run out.
Mr Sunak told MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions that the UK has already discussed the idea with other countries at the United Nations.
He said the government wanted Britons to be able to leave the besieged enclave, for hostages to be released and supplies to cross over into Gaza. “And we recognise for all of that to happen there has to be a safer environment, which of course necessitates specific pauses, as distinct from a ceasefire, and we discussed this with partners yesterday evening at the United Nations,” he said.
Calls for “humanitarian pauses” could be included in a UN Security Council Resolution, No 10 indicated.
Late on Tuesday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended Israel’s military actions but said that “humanitarian pauses must be considered” to protect civilians in Gaza.
Mr Sunak made the call as he announced that an RAF plane was en route to Egypt with 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies.
It comes as aid workers could be forced to halt humanitarian operations in Gaza if Israel does not lift its blockade on fuel supplies, the UN has warned.
Mr Sunak also rejected calls for him to urge a ceasefire, reiterating the government’s stance that Israel has the “right to protect itself” after suffering a “shockingly brutal terrorist attack” at the hands of Hamas.
No 10 said a wholesale ceasefire “would only serve to benefit Hamas”.
Instead, the UK is exploring the possibility of “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting which would be temporary and limited in scope.
The exact framework and how long it might last would be for discussion, Downing Street said. Israeli agreement to a series of pauses in the conflict would be a question “for them”, the prime minister’s spokesman said.
Labour backed the idea. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer refused to back those urging him to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, but backed Mr Sunak’s support for “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict.
A spokesman for the Labour leader said: “Antony Blinken said … humanitarian pauses must be considered. That seems to be something that Downing Street is now echoing and we would obviously fully support that position.”
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has warned it could halt operations in Gaza on Wednesday night because of the lack of fuel.
“If we do not get fuel urgently, we will be forced to halt our operations in the Gaza Strip. Time is running out,” UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Al-Rifai told the BBC.
