Sunak: Hamas has demonstrated it cannot be a partner for peace

Rishi Sunak has said Hamas has demonstrated it “could not be a partner for peace and could have no future in Gaza” after it broke a ceasefire by firing rockets into Gaza.

The prime minister responded to the restart of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza after he held meetings with world leaders, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said he had “spent most of his bilateral meetings discussing that situation”,  at the COP28 summit in Dubai.

Speaking to broadcasters in Dubai earlier, Sunak said: “We’ve been consistent that we want to see sustained humanitarian pauses so that more aid can get in to the people of Gaza but also the hostages can come out. Those are critical ingredients. And, as we’ve said, everyone needs to adhere to the terms of these agreements.”

After meeting with His Highness Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar at the COP28 summit in Dubai, a Number 10 spokesperson said Sunak had “thanked His Highness the Amir for the important role of Qatar in facilitating the humanitarian pause in Gaza, which seen the release of dozens of hostages and the vital passage of further aid.”

They added:“The leaders deeply regretted the collapse of the pause and reiterated the importance of ongoing efforts to secure the release of all hostages and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in Gaza. 

“Longer term, the prime minister said we must work towards two-state solution which guarantees the security and prosperity of both Israelis and Palestinians. “The prime minister reiterated that Hamas had demonstrated that it could not be a partner for peace and could have no future in Gaza.”