Commenting on Rishi Sunak’s visit to Israel today, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“It’s right that Rishi Sunak is visiting Israel to stand in solidarity with those grieving the country’s massive loss of civilian life.

“The Prime Minister should use his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu to remind him that war crimes by Palestinian armed groups do not justify war crimes by Israeli forces.

“Mr Sunak should make clear that the Israeli authorities should end their collective punishment of Gaza’s entire population with the lethal and unlawful blockade on electricity, fuel, water and other vital humanitarian supplies.

“As claims and counterclaims continue to swirl over the cause of the dreadful Al Ahli hospital attack, Mr Sunak should urge the Israeli PM to allow independent investigators - from the UN or the International Criminal Court - to urgently examine the evidence.

“The Israeli military has been very forthright in asserting that its forces did not carry out the Al Ahli attack, in which case they would presumably be willing to cooperate with an international investigation to prove the truth fully and transparently.

“With Rishi Sunak rightly offering the UK's sincere condolences to Israel over the appalling mass killings by Palestinian armed groups, and with the death toll in Gaza mounting inexorably and terrifyingly, it’s vital that the UK positions itself as a consistent advocate for the human rights of Palestinians and Israelis, and fully supports international justice and accountability efforts.”