Prime Minister calls on Israel to 'protect ordinary Palestinians' as it hunts Hamas terrorists responsible for murdering hundreds

Rishi Sunak has called on Israel to 'protect ordinary Palestinians' as it hunts down Hamas terrorists responsible for murdering hundreds of Israelis. Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (October 12) after agreeing to send Royal Navy vessels and Royal Air Force surveillance planes to support Tel Aviv after Hamas' attack.

A No 10 spokeswoman said that during the phone call Mr Sunak 'reiterated that the UK stands side by side with Israel in fighting terror' and that Hamas should 'never again be able to perpetrate atrocities against the Israeli people'.

She added: "Noting that Hamas has enmeshed itself in the civilian population in Gaza, the Prime Minister said it was important to take all possible measures to protect ordinary Palestinians and facilitate humanitarian aid."

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The comments from Mr Sunak, who is in Sweden for the Joint Expeditionary Force summit, come after the United States reminded Israel that how it defends itself 'matters'. US secretary of state Antony Blinken said it was 'important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians'.

The UN said on Friday Israel's military had directed the evacuation of northern Gaza, a region that is home to 1.1 million people, within 24 hours. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric called the order 'impossible' without 'devastating humanitarian consequences'.

Israel's military also directed the hundreds of thousands of residents in Gaza City to evacuate 'for their own safety and protection', claiming Hamas