UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that “specific pauses” are needed in Israel’s war with Hamas to allow aid into Gaza, but again stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, AFP reports.

Facing calls from some opposition lawmakers during weekly questions in parliament to urge Israel to hold a ceasefire, Sunak reiterated it “has the right to defend itself under international law”.

But the UK leader said London has consistently called for the conditions to allow aid to enter the Gaza Strip, and for British nationals and hostages kidnapped by Hamas to be brought out. “We recognise for all of that to happen there has to be a safer environment which of course necessitates specific pauses as distinct from a ceasefire,” he told MPs.