Truce Collapse

The war in Gaza has resumed in full force after a week-long truce, prompting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to demand the immediate release of all women and children held by Hamas. He expressed disappointment over the collapse of the truce but hoped that Qatar-led mediation efforts could resume.

Calls for Release of Hostages

Sunak insisted that the UK government wants all hostages to be released, with a particular emphasis on freeing women and children in the initial phase. During the truce, Hamas and other militants in Gaza released over 100 hostages, mostly Israelis, in exchange for 240 Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons.

Renewed Conflict

Mediators from Qatar and Egypt attempted to extend the break in fighting by two more days, but Israel restarted combat operations in the Gaza Strip immediately after the truce expired. Israel blamed Hamas for violating the "operational pause" and firing towards Israeli territory.

UK Aid Plans

During a press conference at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai, Sunak revealed the UK's plans to explore alternative routes for delivering aid to Gaza. He expressed concerns about the limited amount of aid reaching Gaza through Rafah and other border crossings.

Concern for Civilian Casualties

While Sunak reiterated his support for Israel's right to defend itself and pursue Hamas, he emphasized the importance of protecting civilian life. He called on Israel to take maximum care in this regard and expressed support for civilian protection plans outlined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Exploring Other Aid Routes

In addition to demanding the release of hostages, Sunak highlighted the UK's efforts to increase aid to Gaza. Despite tripling its aid, he stated that not enough is reaching Gaza through existing crossings. As a result, the UK is actively exploring other routes, including by sea, to ensure the delivery of aid.