Rishi Sunak urges Israel to ‘pause’ conflict and let aid into Gaza

No 10 says ‘pause’ in conflict could help alleviate what many fear is becoming a full-scale humanitarian crisis as water, medical supplies and fuel run out

Rishi Sunak has backed “pauses” in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow crucial aid into Gaza amid warnings fuel could run out within hours – but he rejected calls for a ceasefire.

Short breaks in hostilities could allow hostages and British nationals out of the besieged enclave, the prime minister said on Wednesday.

But a wholesale ceasefire would only benefit Hamas, two weeks after it killed 1,400 people in Israel and seized more than 200 hostages, No 10 said.