Rishi Sunak will address MPs on Monday about the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza as politicians return to Westminster amid renewed conflict in the Middle East.
Palestinians in Gaza remain braced for an imminent Israeli invasion, a week after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on the country.
The Prime Minister is expected to make a visit on Monday morning to re-iterate his Government’s support for the Jewish community, after a weekend that saw growing international concern about the escalating situation in the region.
King Abdullah II of Jordan was welcomed to Downing Street on Sunday evening, as the ruler embarked on a diplomatic tour of Europe to rally international support to stop the war.
Number 10 said that the Prime Minister would hold talks with other leaders and international partners in the days to come, as the conflict shows little sign of coming to a swift conclusion.
The United Nations and global aid agencies have all expressed alarm about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the north ahead of a major offensive.
Mr Sunak is expected to use his Commons statement to set out how the UK is supporting Israel and aiding British nationals caught in the fighting, while also detailing ministers’ response to the humanitarian situation inside Gaza.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Sunday indicated that about 10 British people are being held hostage by Hamas, telling Sky News that such a figure was “not an unreasonable estimate”.
Meanwhile, demonstrators are expected to gather outside the BBC in central London on Monday evening, amid anger at the broadcaster’s decision not to describe Hamas militants as terrorists.
It comes after a weekend of protests and gatherings across the UK, with tens of thousands marching in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Hundreds of people also attended at a vigil in central London on Sunday to commemorate Israeli victims of the Hamas incursion.
