Read my statement on the Iranian regime’s reckless attack against Israel.

'Bring them home'

Charles Hay, Director of Gaza hostages at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office came to Israel in a special message after meeting with the families of the British hostages and British linked hostages that are being held in gaza.

Today marks six months since the horrific events of 7 October.
Ambassador Simon Walters shares his reflections on the UK’s efforts to secure the release of hostages and on the humanitarian situation in Gaza

The news of the airstrike that killed World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza is deeply distressing.

British Nationals are reported to have been killed, we are urgently working to verify this information and will provide full support to their families.

I had the honour and pleasure to meet senior members of the Haredi community yesterday, hosted by Rabbi Yitzhak Schapira. We discussed the most important issues facing the community at the moment, and I explained the UK government’s approach to the Gaza war and the wider region.

So now we need to focus on how we chart the way from an immediate humanitarian pause towards a lasting, sustainable peace without a return to fighting.👇

The UK has long been calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life, as the fastest way to get hostages out and aid in.

The United Nations Security Council has just voted to advance that goal.

Securing the safe release of all hostages remains one of the UK’s top priorities. Yesterday I again met families of those being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas - their continued pain and suffering is appalling. We continue to do all we can to ensure their safe return home.

رمضان مبارك للجميع.

gov.uk/government/new…

Ukraine’s security is our security. 
 
Our military, humanitarian and economic support is an investment in the international rules that keep us all safe. 
 
We will #StandWithUkraine for as long as it takes 🇬🇧 🇺🇦
 
#SlavaUkraini

The announcement of plans to build over 3000 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank is deeply concerning. UK policy is clear. Settlements are illegal under international law and make it harder still to progress towards a solution of this conflict.

Horrified by reports of a person killed and many others injured in a shooting today near Ma'aleh Adumim in the West Bank. There is no justification for such violence. My thoughts are with their families.

Yesterday I met with the head of Shas party, אריה מכלוף דרעי. We had an interesting and useful discussion of various issues on Gaza and the challenges of the current situation in the region.

One of the most positive things I did last week was to visit @Tech2Peace. It was inspiring to speak with participants of different identities working on peaceful dialogue. The UK is proud to be working with an organisation on such important issues. Mutual understanding is vital.

Today, alongside Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, I met the families of British hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. We updated them on 🇬🇧 efforts to end the terrible ordeal of their loved ones. We are focused on securing agreements to end hostilities and to facilitate their safe release.

To have a loved one taken hostage by terrorists is an unthinkable horror.

Today I met again with British families still going through that harrowing ordeal.

We will continue to do all we can to bring hostages held by Hamas in Gaza safely home.

The UK and the US have carried out further strikes on Houthi military targets. 

We have issued repeated warnings to the Houthis.

Their reckless actions are putting innocent lives at risk, threatening the freedom of navigation and destabilising the region.

The Houthi…

The UK and US announce further sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities.

gov.uk/government/new…