Cameron tells Netanyahu two-state solution key

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron called for an “immediate pause in the fighting” in Gaza as he pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to embrace a two-state solution.

During a meeting in Jerusalem, Lord Cameron warned of “unimaginable” suffering in the Palestinian territory, as he urged Israel to allow in more aid. He also called for the protection of medics and hospitals.

Lord Cameron also met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu has maintained his objection to Palestinian statehood despite calls from the US to work towards the two-state solution.

The leader of a far-right government, he said last week that the idea would “endanger the state of Israel” as he criticised the “attempt to coerce us”.

The UK Foreign Office said Lord Cameron also reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s attempts to secure the release of the remaining hostages, believed to number about 130, still being held by Hamas.

But he also underlined to Mr Netanyahu that Britain believes that long-term peace must be based on achieving a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

In a statement, Lord Cameron said: “The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. More must be done, faster, to help people trapped in this desperate situation.

“As I said to PM Netanyahu, far more trucks need to be able to enter Gaza and more crossings need to open.”

The former UK prime minister said the Hamas leadership must leave Gaza for a cessation, but that the Palestinians must also be shown there is a “route to having a Palestinian state, to having a new future”.