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Sunak Backs Gaza Pauses To Let In Aid But Stops Short Of Backing Ceasefire
The Guardian
|October 26, 2023
Rishi Sunak has called for pauses to the fighting in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to safely reach those without food, water or medicine.
Although he expressly avoided backing the suggestion of a total ceasefire, the prime minister said he recognised there needed to be a "safer environment" for aid agencies to help Palestinians.
He made the plea as MPs discussed events in the Middle East, with one Labour backbencher accusing Israel of levying "collective punishment" on civilians in Gaza for "crimes they did not commit".
Sunak told the Commons yesterday that "the first and most important principle is that Israel has the right to defend itself under international law". He said the government wanted Hamas to release the hostages it took during the 7 October attacks, help Britons leave Gaza and ensure humanitarian aid could make it to those in need.
"We recognise for all of that to happen, there has to be a safer environment, which of course necessitates specific pauses - as distinct from a ceasefire," Sunak said at prime minister's questions yesterday, adding that Britain had "discussed this with partners" on Tuesday evening at the UN.
This story is from the October 26, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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