British Foreign Secretary David Cameron revealed progress in talks towards a Gaza ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, and the release of Israeli hostages. The focus is on a phased approach: releasing Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a cessation of hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Cameron, in an interview with Reuters, expressed optimism about achieving a pause in fighting, allowing aid and the return of hostages.
He acknowledged discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian authorities in the West Bank, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire to secure the release of hostages seized during a cross-border attack on Oct. 7.
Despite progress, challenges remain in convincing Israel to open the port of Ashdod for aid shipments to Gaza. Cameron highlighted the necessity of delivering at least 500 aid trucks daily to address the dire humanitarian crisis. He urged Israel to remove bottlenecks, ensure open checkpoints, facilitate UN-protected aid movement, and restore water access.
The ongoing truce talks, aiming for a month-long ceasefire and a potential exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, face difficulties due to divergent views on ending the war. Gaza’s death toll has reached 26,083, with a catastrophic humanitarian situation risking further deterioration.
Shortly after Cameron’s statements, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to intensify efforts to assist Palestinian civilians, recognizing the gravity of the situation in Gaza.
Despite limited aid deliveries through the Rafah crossing and Kerem Shalom, Cameron stressed the urgency of opening Ashdod to prevent a deepening catastrophe, especially in northern and central Gaza, where thousands face starvation.
