Britain and its G7 allies on Wednesday urged Israel and Hamas to allow humanitarian pauses and corridors to relieve the plight of civilians caught up in the war in Gaza.
Tuesday marked a month since the Palestinian terror group’s murderous raids into Israel. Events including a candlelit vigil in Tel Aviv paid tribute to the 1,400 victims of the October 7 terror attacks and the roughly 240 hostages held by Hamas.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and his fellow G7 ministers agreed at talks in Tokyo that Israel had every right to defend itself “in accordance with international law”.
But with more than 10,000 people now said by the Hamas-run authorities to have died in Israel’s war of reprisal in Gaza, the G7 said: “All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers.
“We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and the release of hostages,” the foreign ministers said.
Mr Cleverly said Britain still wanted to see an independent Palestinian state created alongside a secure Israel. “In the short term, it is inevitable that Israel, because they have the troops in Gaza, will need to have a security responsibility,” he said. ”But our view is as soon as practicable, a move towards a peace-loving Palestinian leadership is the most desired outcome.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that calls from the United Nations and protesters around the world for Israel to call off its offensive entirely were misguided. “All of us want to end this conflict as soon as possible and meanwhile to minimize civilian suffering,” he told reporters.
“But, as I discussed with my G7 colleagues, those calling for an immediate ceasefire have an obligation to explain how to address the unacceptable result that would likely bring about: Hamas left in place with more than 200 hostages, with a capacity and stated intent to repeat October 7 again and again and again.”
Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing south on foot after running out of food and water in the north, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today as Israel said its troops were battling Hamas fighters deep inside Gaza City. Mr Blinken urged: “No reoccupation of Gaza after the conflict ends. No attempt to blockade or besiege Gaza. No reduction in the territory of Gaza. We must also ensure no terrorist threats can emanate from the West Bank.”
Pressed on his government’s war aims, Israel Defence Forces spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner said: “This terrorist organisation has to be banished from the realm of existence.” He accused Hamas militants of leaving booby traps in nurseries and kindergartens to kill invading Israeli troops.
“This is a war that we didn’t ask for. It is a war that Hamas opened. We need to change the paradigm,” he told LBC in London, while insisting that Israel did not intend to govern Gaza after the conflict.
It came after Israel claimed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was “surrounded” in a bunker as Israeli forces continued their Gaza offensive.
