In a high-level phone call on Sunday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron voiced their shared concern over the urgent need to deliver aid to Gaza and discussed the potential risks of the Israel-Hamas conflict spreading, as reported by Downing Street.
The leaders, who have previously visited Israel and neighboring countries in the wake of the recent Hamas attacks, emphasized the crucial importance of immediate humanitarian support for Gaza. Sunak’s spokesperson stated, “They agreed to collaborate on swift initiatives to provide essential supplies such as food, fuel, water, and medicine to those in need, while also coordinating efforts to evacuate foreign nationals.”
Expressing a joint apprehension about the escalating tensions in the wider region, especially in the West Bank, the leaders underscored their commitment to addressing the situation. Macron’s office revealed that during the call, the leaders reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense within international legal bounds and stressed the significance of finding a resolution for the hostages held by Hamas.
Furthermore, both leaders advocated for the resumption of the long-stalled two-state solution, envisioning independent states for Israelis and Palestinians as the optimal path to achieve lasting peace in the region. As Israeli forces intensify ground operations in Gaza and conduct airstrikes on numerous Hamas targets, Sunak and Macron aim to foster cooperation to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and mitigate the potential spread of the conflict.
