Biden and Sunak issue statement on "two-state solution"
It has been reported that U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed that a two-state solution, in which Palestinians and Israelis live in peace and security, has become more important than ever.
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In a statement released by the British Prime Minister's Office at 10 Downing Street, it was noted that Biden and Sunak held a phone call.
The statement noted that the two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, the importance of sending humanitarian aid to the region, and the airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
The statement, which noted that Biden and Sunak discussed the urgency of mitigating the impact of the attacks on civilians in Gaza and ensuring the release of hostages, included the following: "The Prime Minister emphasized that supporting Israel in its efforts to eliminate the threat from Hamas does not negate the necessity for the Israeli military to take greater care to protect civilians and to operate within the bounds of international humanitarian law."
The statement conveyed that Biden and Sunak agreed to continue working together to secure the release of hostages from Gaza and to implement further "humanitarian pauses" in the conflict to allow more aid into the region.
"LEADERS REACHED AN AGREEMENT"
It was also emphasized that the two leaders discussed creating more routes for aid to enter the region, including through Ashdod, and addressed increasing the effectiveness of existing routes.
The statement also included the following: "The leaders agreed that a two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and security, is more important than ever."
The statement, which noted that Sunak conveyed his condolences to Biden for the deaths of two U.S. soldiers serving in the Red Sea, stated that the two leaders condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels and expressed their determination to continue cooperation against these attacks.
The statement also shared that this cooperation includes applying diplomatic pressure on Iran to end its support for the Houthis and, when necessary, conducting airstrikes aimed at destroying the Houthis' offensive capabilities.
The statement, which noted that Sunak briefed Biden on the UK's military aid to Ukraine, conveyed that the two leaders agreed on the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russia.