Israel’s Gantz concludes ‘unauthorized’ visit to UK

JERUSALEM

Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday concluded a visit to the UK, a trip that was not authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I just completed my visit to the UK where I met the Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak, The Foreign Secretary David Cameron and National Security Adviser Tim Barrow," Gantz wrote on X.

"I reiterated to them that Israel will allow a humanitarian solution aiding the people of Gaza that doesn’t maintain Hamas’ control over Gaza. A solution that would enable the completion of this war’s just and necessary objectives of dismantling Hamas, in full compliance with international law," he added.

Gantz arrived in London from Washington, where he held talks with Vice-President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

His trips were opposed by Netanyahu, who ordered Israeli embassies in Washington and London not to help with Gantz’s visits in any way.

"Israel has only one prime minister," Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Israeli media of Gantz’s visits.

Israel has continued its deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip, now in its 153rd day, following an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 30,800 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 73,000 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced by the Israeli onslaught amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul