UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Advocates for Ceasefire and Hostage Release in First Israel-Palestine Visit

David Lammy advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza on his inaugural visit to Israel as foreign secretary.

During his visit, the newly appointed foreign secretary engaged with political figures and relatives of individuals detained in Gaza.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, July 15, 2024, at 2

David Lammy expressed his anticipation for a hostage agreement to materialize "in the next few days" and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza on his inaugural visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories as the foreign secretary.

The recently appointed minister held a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Sunday.

Current political updates: Sunak receives encouragement to remain as Conservative leader until November

During his discussions with Mr. Herzog, the Labour Party senior official emphasized that he was deploying "every diplomatic measure" to secure the release of the hostages still in Hamas's custody.

Mr. Lammy expressed his desire, stating, "I am looking forward to the possibility of a hostage negotiation taking place soon."

"I am fully engaged in diplomatic activities, notably in recent discussions with G7 countries and especially with [US Secretary of State Antony Blinken] Tony Blinken, advocating for that hostage agreement last week."

"I also hope for an imminent ceasefire that will mitigate the suffering and the unacceptable casualties currently being witnessed in Gaza."

Further Details on Gaza

Israel Strikes Architect of 7 October Attack in Airstrike; Gaza Authorities Report at Least 90 Fatalities

Who is Mohammed Deif? Meet the elusive leader of Hamas, often referred to as 'The Guest'

Scores of casualties have been discovered amid the debris in Gaza while talks for a truce persist in Egypt.

Associated Subjects:

Mr. Lammy engaged with relatives of individuals who were either killed or detained in Gaza by Hamas.

Images circulating on social media depicted him warmly hugging and exchanging handshakes with the impacted individuals.

Among them were relatives of Tamir Adar, a victim of Hamas, whose remains are currently retained in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary declared that the UK is set to allocate an additional £5.5 million this year to support the activities of UK-Med in the Gaza Strip.

The healthcare non-profit dispatches seasoned aid workers, such as NHS staff, to areas afflicted by emergencies.

The allocated funds will be utilized to bolster the operations of the mobile field hospitals and the emergency unit at Nasser Hospital.

Mr. Lammy's trip follows a recent attack by Israel on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 90 individuals in the southern part of the region.

Israeli authorities state that their strike was aimed at Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, though it remains unclear if he was killed in the attack.

Read On: Israel strikes at the architect of the 7 October attack in a bombing run, according to Gaza authorities, resulting in a minimum of 90 deaths. Survival prospects dim for newborns in Gaza.

Stay informed with the newest updates from the UK and across the globe by tuning into Sky News.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Amnesty International UK described Mr. Lammy's journey as a preliminary evaluation of the Labour government's dedication to upholding international law.

The ongoing unrest in Gaza has been a persistent issue for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer since its inception in October.

Numerous supporters of the Labour Party believe that the leader has not adequately criticized Israel, and several ministers stepped down last year following the party's delayed support for demands for a ceasefire.

In a surprising twist during the general election, despite Labour's overwhelming success, former MP Jonathan Ashworth was among the Labour candidates who lost to Independent candidates focusing heavily on the issue of Gaza. Meanwhile, figures like Health Secretary Wes Streeting experienced significant reductions in their electoral majorities.

Israel initiated military actions in Gaza in response to the Hamas assault on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 hostages being taken.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared that Israel's military operations will persist until every hostage is freed and Hamas is completely dismantled.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites