UK PM Sunak talks to Egyptian President over Humanitarian corridor for Gaza

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday, to acknowledge the challenging security situation at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, Sunak’s office said.

“He (Sunak) offered the UK’s support to try to manage this situation and keep the route open for humanitarian and consular reasons, including for British nationals,” the statement on Thursday said.

Earlier, In a letter to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Tuesday, El-Nakla’s husband Humza Yousaf pleaded with Israel to allow for the opening of a humanitarian corridor.

“I am writing regarding the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas over the weekend, as well as the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza,” he said in his letter.

“Too many innocent lives have already been sacrificed as a result of these utterly outrageous and illegal strikes by Hamas.

“However, men, women, and children who are innocent cannot and should not be made to pay for a terrorist group’s acts. Collectively punishing defenseless civilians is inadmissible and will not provide the conditions for regional peace.

“As a close friend and ally of Israel, I, therefore, ask the UK Government to call on the government of Israel to ensure innocent civilians are protected and to put in place an immediate ceasefire to allow the safe passage of civilians through the Rafah border.

“Furthermore, it should open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow supplies, including food, fuel, water and medical supplies, for those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave.”