UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that Israeli wounds are still unhealed from the October 7 Hamas attack, adding that families still mourn and hostages are still held by Hamas.

“And after six months of war in Gaza, the toll on civilians continues to grow hunger, desperation, loss of life on an awful scale,” Sunak said in a statement on X.

“We continue to stand by Israel’s right to defeat the threat from Hamas terrorists and defend their security,” he said.

He said that the whole of the UK was shocked by the bloodshed, and appalled by the killing of brave “British heroes who were bringing food to those in need”.

“This terrible conflict must end. The hostages must be released. The aid which we have been straining every sinew to deliver by land, air and sea must be flooded in,” he said.

“The children of Gaza need a humanitarian pause immediately, leading to a long-term sustainable ceasefire. That is the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in, and to stop the fighting and loss of life,” he added.

“For the good of both Israelis and Palestinians who all deserve to live in peace, dignity and security - that is what we will keep working to achieve,” he added.