British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Israel's President Isaac Herzog there needed to be "immediate steps" towards a ceasefire in Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
"The Prime Minister said there must be immediate steps towards a ceasefire, so that hostages can be released and more humanitarian aid can get in for those in desperate need," Starmer's office said in a statement released on Sunday.
"The Prime Minister reiterated his ongoing support for Israel's right to self-defence in accordance with international law," the statement said.
Starmer met Herzog in Paris where both were attending the Olympics.
In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 7 shortly after Starmer took office, he "set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire," according to a previous British government statement.
Starmer on Sunday said there was no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas and expressed his condolences for the deaths of five hostages kidnapped during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7 whose bodies had recently been recovered.
About 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies.
More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Kenyan court charges 8 schoolgirls with fellow students' murder
At least 5 people killed in fire in Antwerp apartment block
Three people die in Mexico World Cup celebrations as fans crowd streets
US and Iran enter technical talks to secure peace deal, shipping restart
After Venezuela quakes, citizens lead rescues amid military theft accusations
Two dead after wildfire guts house in northern Greece
Afghanistan launches airstrikes on IS targets on border with Pakistan
Bangladesh warns of dengue surge as weather aids spread
