UK Foreign Secretary Cameron meets Premier Netanyahu on Israel visit

LONDON

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, amid the announcement of a humanitarian pause in the war with Hamas.

According to the UK Foreign Office, Cameron is in the Middle East "where he will be speaking to Israeli and Palestinian leaders about the crisis and the way forward."

"He will discuss the need to get all hostages out of Gaza and get more aid in, as well as the need to work towards a lasting solution that delivers security and justice for Israelis and Palestinians," it said in a statement.

Appointed just last week, Cameron expressed his commitment to support Israel during his meeting with Netanyahu.

"I wanted to come here in person ... to see just the true nature of the horrific attacks that you faced. I think that’s very important to do that and see that, we stand with the people of Israel," he said.

"I hope everyone who's responsible behind this agreement can make it happen to bring relief to those families, including of course there are British nationals who have been taken hostage. And so let's hope that that can be delivered," he added.

For his part, Netanyahu said: "We hope to get our hostages out. It's not without its challenges. We have to be up to get this first tranche out, then we're committed to getting everyone out. But we'll continue to eradicate Hamas, which has already promised that they will do this again and again."

"There’s no hope for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, between Israel and the Arab states, if we don’t eradicate this murderous movement that threatens the future of all of us," he added.

Earlier, Cameron visited Kibbutz Be’eri, the south of the country, with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, saying "I have heard and seen things I will never forget."

Cameron also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who thanked him for the “support and friendship” and for visiting Kibbutz Be’eri.

“We appreciate greatly your solidarity and your support for the ongoing efforts to release the hostages held by Hamas,” Herzog said on X. “I was pleased to discuss with you the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and hear of the United Kingdom's valuable contribution and cooperation for improving the situation.”

Under the agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.

Israel estimates that at least 239 Israelis are being held by Hamas following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing more than 14,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.