British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended support to Israel as he reached capital Tel Aviv on Thursday condeming an "unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism" referring to the October 7 surprise attacks by Hamas. He met with Israeli leaders and is scheduled to hold talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I'm very much looking forward to my meetings later with the prime minister and president and I very much hope they'll be productive meetings," Sunak said.
Sunak's visit comes a day after the US President Joe Biden has visited Israel amid its war with Hamas.
"I am in Israel, a nation in grief," he said in a post on X, adding: "I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always."
The UK PM who has been voicing support in favour of Israels' "right to defend" against the Hamas' attack met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During his meeting with Herzog, Sunak thanked the Israeli President for the support provided to British nationals caught up in the "terror attacks". "Together we agreed on the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support to ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are also suffering," he said.
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He also met with those families whose members have been taken as hostage by the Palestinian group and assured their release.
"To have a child taken from you is a parent’s worst nightmare," he said in another post on X.
"This morning I heard from families going through this unbearable agony. Working with our partners, we’re determined to secure the release of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists," he added.