Foreign Secretary David Lammy calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas and release of hostages as he makes first visit to Middle East

David Lammy urged an ‘immediate ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas and the release of hostages today as he visited the Middle East for the first time as Foreign Secretary.

Mr Lammy said the death toll in Gaza was ‘intolerable’ and called for ‘unrestricted’ access for aid.

He is on a mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories as Labour walks a diplomatic tightrope – with many of the party’s voters demanding a more pro-Palestinian stance.

The latest phase of the war erupted when Hamas terrorist stormed into Israel on October 7, slaughtering civilians and taking hostages. 

Mr Lammy has announced that the UK will provide another £5.5million this year to UK-Med, a frontline charity who send medics to to crisis-hit regions. 

In Israel he will hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to reiterate the need to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. 

Mr Lammy will highlight that more than 680 tonnes of UK aid in the region and waiting to enter Gaza, including medicines, shelters and hygiene kits.

He will also meet families with links to the UK whose loved ones were either murdered or captured by Hamas.

Mr Lammy said: ‘The death and destruction in Gaza is intolerable. This war must end now, with an immediate ceasefire, complied with by both sides. 

‘The fighting has got to stop, the hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas terrorists need to be released immediately and aid must be allowed in to reach the people of Gaza without restrictions.

‘I am meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to stress the UK’s ambition and commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. 

‘The world needs a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

‘Central to this is to see an end to expanding illegal Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank. 

‘Here, in what should be a crucial part of a Palestinian state, alongside Gaza and East Jerusalem, we need to see a reformed and empowered Palestinian Authority.’