The UK's Foreign Secretary David Cameron met yesterday with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Indonesia and Nigeria, as well as the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and Ambassador of Qatar, at Lancaster House in London to discuss cooperation on the crisis in Israel and Gaza, how to secure the release of all hostages, increase the amount of aid into Gaza, and reach a long-term political solution to the crisis.
Following the recent agreement reached between Israel and Hamas for coordinated hostage releases and a 4-day pause in the fighting, the Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of allowing humanitarian organisations to bring in more fuel so they can carry out lifesaving work unimpeded – including powering hospitals or desalination plants, which supply 80% of Gaza’s water.
Mr Cameron also discussed with leaders at the meeting how to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts towards a viable two-state solution, which provides security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and restated the UK’s condemnation of the rise in settler violence in the West Bank.
David Cameron commented:
"Today I have chaired a meeting of leaders from Arab countries and other Islamic states on the situation in Israel and Gaza.
The agreement reached last night is an important opportunity to get the hostages out and more aid into Gaza to help the Palestinian people.
We discussed how to use this step forward to think about the future and how we can build a peaceful future which provides security for Israel but also peace and stability for the Palestinian people.
Foreign Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Indonesia and Nigeria, as well as the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and Ambassador of Qatar attended the event in London."