Rishi Sunak to hold emergency COBRA meeting on Israel-Hamas war

Rishi Sunak will hold an emergency COBRA meeting later today on the ongoing situation in Israel.

Speaking to businesses in Nottinghamshire, the prime minister described the UK as one of Israel’s “strongest allies” as he pledged further support to the country in the aftermath of the surprise attack by Hamas on Saturday.

“We’ve provided in the past the kinds of equipment that they’ve used to defend themselves over the past couple of days,” Mr Sunak said.

“And as I said to the prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu], we will continue to provide – whether that’s diplomatic, intelligence or security support – as they need.

“I’m chairing a COBRA with my ministerial colleagues this afternoon, when we’ll continue to discuss the situation, but we’re in close dialogue with our Israeli counterparts.”

Mr Sunak convenes the meeting as Israel continues to fight Hamas in two locations inside Israel, after the country formally declared war.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, the international spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), told Sky News that Israeli troops have managed to regain control of some areas of southern Israel from militants.

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Earlier, the IDF said fighting was occurring in as many as eight locations inside Israel.

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At least 700 Israelis are reported to have died since the attack began.

Gaza’s health ministry said 493 Palestinians had died so far, with 2,751 injured as Israel carries out retaliatory action.

Israel has also ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza – with no fuel, food or electricity allowed in.

On Monday Israel was hit by another rocket barrage which Israeli media has speculated is coming from the Gaza Strip.

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The surprise assault on Saturday saw Hamas militants launch a barrage of missiles from Gaza before crossing the border in a unprecedented security breach.

Hamas has claimed to be holding more than 130 captives from the Israeli side.

In response to Saturday’s attack, Mr Netanyahu declared that Israel was “at war” and launched “Operation Swords of Iron”.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from across the world and has prompted the US to send warships closer to Israel.

Asked whether the UK was considering taking similar action, the prime minister told Sky News: “This is not a time for equivocation. We should just be straightforward in what’s happening here, and that’s the Hamas and the people that support Hamas are fully responsible for appalling acts of terrorism.

“What I’ve said to the Israeli prime minister is that we will provide all the support that they need to make sure that Israel can defend itself against these kinds of attacks.”

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