Rishi Sunak has landed in Israel for urgent talks with Benjamin Netanyahu as fears continue to grow for British nationals being held hostage by Hamas.
The Prime Minister touched town in Tel Aviv shortly before 7am UK time to begin a two day tour of the region.
He is expected to visit a number of capitals in the region as he urges Middle East leaders to "avoid further dangerous escalation" amid concerns the conflict could grow to engulf the entire region.
Seven British nationals have been confirmed dead since the conflict began 10 days ago.
Rishi Sunak travelled to Israel overnightDOWNING STREETAs many as nine other Britons also being held by Hamas, with their situation likely to be covered by Sunak during his talks.
Hamas terrorists have captured 199 hostages in total according to Israel.
Netanyahu has faced intense pressure for his failure to so far secure the return of the civilians.
The families of some of those captured have criticised the decision to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza while the hostage situation remains.
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The Prime Minister landed in Tel Aviv this morning and will hold talks with Benjamin Netanyahu
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Rishi Sunak will tour a number of Middle East capitals
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Addressing Israeli media outside the airport, the Prime Minister said: "Above all, I'm here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people.
"You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you."
He added that "too many lives have been lost" already in the conflict.
His visit comes just 24 hours after US President Joe Biden met with Netanyahu in a bid to try and stop the conflict spiralling into a larger crisis.
During the Prime Minister’s trip to the Middle East, in which he is expected to meet a number of counterparts, No10 said he plans to press for aid to be allowed into Gaza and for those “trapped in the territory” to be allowed to leave the 25-mile area.
Rishi Sunak told reporters after landing he was there in solidarity with Israel
TWITTERA Downing Street official said he will share his condolences for the “terrible loss of life in Israel and Gaza in the last two weeks as a result of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks”.
He will call for the “barbaric” acts carried out by the Palestinian militant group not to “become a catalyst for further escalation of conflict in the region”.
Ahead of his departure, the Prime Minister said: “Every civilian death is a tragedy. And too many lives have been lost following Hamas’s horrific act of terror.
“The attack on al Ahli hospital should be a watershed moment for leaders in the region and across the world to come together to avoid further dangerous escalation of conflict.
“I will ensure the UK is at the forefront of this effort.”
