Rishi Sunak calls for greater aid access to ease 'acute humanitarian crisis' in Gaza

Rishi Sunak has called for increased humanitarian access to Gaza after the first aid convoy was allowed to enter from Egypt. The Prime Minister said the world faced an “acute humanitarian crisis” in the territory and that he wanted to see a “stream of trucks” passing through the Rafah Crossing.

Mr Sunak also that intensive work was happening to ensure Britons trapped in Gaza are able to leave through the crossing while aid passes the other way.

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He said he also wants to see the restoration of water supplies “where physically possible”. Some 20 vehicles were allowed in on Saturday, with campaigners saying it represented a “drop in the ocean” compared to what was needed.

Writing in The Telegraph, the Prime Minister – who visited Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week said the UK supported “absolutely” Israel’s right to defend itself against the “murderous enemy” and it had a duty to restore the country’s security and bring its hostages back following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

But he said he had been clear with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and president Isaac Herzog “this must be done in line with international humanitarian law and taking every possible step to avoid harming civilians”. “Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering terribly at the moment, with the casualty numbers climbing constantly,” Mr Sunak said.

“They are the victims of Hamas too, who use the innocent as human shields. The terrorists murder Israeli children, then run and hide behind Palestinian children. Too many lives have already been