Ready to use British bases in Cyprus as a staging ground to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza "by land, air and sea", Rishi Sunak said in the UK Prime Minister's customary landmark foreign policy speech at the Lord Mayor's dinner, the head of the City of London.
In a speech on Monday night, the British leader said the "highest priority is to alleviate the suffering" of people in the Middle East region. He added that the only long-term answer to these ills is a two-state solution.
In one of his sternest reports yet on Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas attack, Mr Sunak said: “Israel must be able to defend itself against terrorism, restore its security and bring home hostages. But there are things Israel must do as part of that response. We have been clear that Israel must act within international law. It must take all possible measures to protect innocent civilians, including those in hospitals, stop extremist violence in the West Bank and allow more aid to Gaza. Too many civilians are losing their lives."
The British Prime Minister's speech also emphasized the need to continue supporting Ukraine "until it wins" against the Russian aggressor.
The circumstances surrounding the speech this year were special, as a few hours earlier it had been preceded by the surprise appointment as Foreign Secretary of Lord David Cameron, former Prime Minister.
In the first international communication from the new post, Mr Cameron yesterday discussed the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations with his US counterpart Anthony Blinken.
Source: KYPE