UK PM tells Netanyahu peace process ‘should lead’ to Palestinian state

LONDON: UK premier Keir Starmer told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that any peace process in the Middle East should pave the way for a Palestinian state, Downing Street said.

The two leaders held a call that focused on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a UK government spokesperson said.During the conversation, “both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution that guarantees Israel´s security and stability”, the British readout of the call added.

“The prime minister added that the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political process, which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”Starmer also “reiterated that it was vital to ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support the Palestinians who desperately need it”, the statement added.

Starmer “offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli government to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily Damari”, the statement added.“To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family´s arms was a wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict,” Starmer added, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Yemen Huthi rebels said on Tuesday they would limit their Red Sea attacks to vessels linked to Israel during the ceasefire in the Gaza war.“We have informed international shipping companies that our military operations will focus solely on vessels linked to” Israel during the truce, a Huthi official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Part of Iran´s “axis of resistance”, the Huthis have also repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza began with Hamas´s October 7 attack.Among the ships targeted in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden were vessels the rebels believed were linked to Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom.