Boris: Israelis fighting 'terror on behalf of freedom-loving people around the world'

BORIS Johnson made a surprise trip to Israel yesterday amid claims over 50 people were killed in a missile strike on a refugee camp in Gaza.

- Martyn Brown

The former prime minister said he wanted to "express solidarity and support" for Israel following Hamas's barbaric terrorist attacks last month.

But his visit came as the terror group's health ministry said 52 people were killed when the Al-Maghazi refugee camp was destroyed by an air strike on Saturday, pictured right.

The small camp was thought to be sheltering over 100 people at the time amid overcrowding as people flee bombardments in northern Gaza.

Israel's military said it was looking into whether it was operating in the area at the time of the blast.

During his visit, former Prime Minister Mr Johnson met BritishIsraeli soldiers in Jerusalem alongside former Australian premier Scott

Morrison. They also held talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, politician Danny Danon and relatives of some 200 hostages weeks after 1,400 were killed by Hamas terrorists.

Mr Johnson said: "I'm here a month on after the most appalling atrocities against the Jewish people we have seen since the Second World War.

"I want to make sure people understand the duty of Israelis to defend themselves and to fight terror on behalf of freedom-loving people around the world.