UK and Germany push for 'sustainable ceasefire' in Gaza

Foreign ministers David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock call for co-operation in finding two-state solution

People light candles in Tel Aviv, Israel. Getty

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Germany and the UK have called for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza that can be a step towards a two-state future developed with Arab help.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock, writing in the Sunday Times, warned that “too many civilians have been killed”.

They said neither nation was calling for an immediate ceasefire, but instead, they wanted a “sustainable” ceasing of the conflict.

“Our goal cannot simply be an end to fighting today. It must be peace lasting for days, years, generations. We therefore support a ceasefire, but only if it is sustainable,” they wrote.

“We know many in the region and beyond have been calling for an immediate ceasefire. We recognise what motivates these heartfelt calls.

“It is an understandable reaction to such intense suffering, and we share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on. That is why we supported the recent humanitarian pauses.”

Mr Cameron and Ms Baerbock defended Israel’s attacks in Gaza, urged the international community to get more aid to Palestinians and called for co-operation in finding a route to the two-state solution.

‘All those who want to end the suffering need to work together on a solution that delivers long-term security for both peoples,” they wrote.

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  A protester in Sana'a, Yemen, covering his face with a keffiyeh. EPA

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  Izzat Hirbawi showing a keffiyeh at the textile factory in Hebron. Reuters

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  A newly-recruited member of the Houthis' popular army covering his face with a keffiyeh during a parade in Sana'a, Yemen. EPA

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  Two people wear Palestinian keffiyehs, during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration march in Madrid, Spain. AP

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  A Palestinian child wearing a keffiyeh and carrying a Palestinian flag during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

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  A worker sewing at the Hirbawi keffiyeh in Hebron. AFP

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  A worker sewing at the Hirbawi keffiyeh factory in Hebron. AFP

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  A worker stands over a loom at a textile factory producing the Palestinian Keffiyeh scarf in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. AFP

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  Workers producing the traditional keffiyeh in Hebron. AFP

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  A worker stands over a loom at the Hirbawi textile factory producing the Palestinian Keffiyeh scarf in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. AFP

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  A worker stands over a loom at a textile factory producing the Palestinian Keffiyeh scarf in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. AFP

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  A protester flashing the V for victory sign as people march during a demonstration near the US embassy in the capital Amman in solidarity with the people of Gaza. AFP

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  Two pro-Palestinian protestors pose outside the Hilton Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where US President Joe Biden was attended a fundraiser on December 11, 2023. AFP

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  Pro-Palestinian protestors gathering outside of the New York Times building to protest the newspaper’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war in New York City. Getty

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  A family in Mansfield, Massachusetts taking part in a protest calling for a cease fire in the war in Gaza. AP

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  A demonstrator covering her face with a keffiyeh during a rally in support of the Palestinian people, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. EPA

“Our Arab partners, in particular, have a crucial role to play in this. They have shown strong humanitarian commitment and they have even more political weight to bring to the table.

“The rise of extremism is a threat to all of us, not just to Israelis and Palestinians. A two-state solution requires both sides to feel safe living side by side.”

Israel’s offensive, following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has flattened much of northern Gaza and driven 85 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million population from their homes.

Displaced people have sought shelter, mainly in the south of Gaza.

“We do not believe that calling right now for a general and immediate ceasefire, hoping it somehow becomes permanent, is the way forward,” Mr Cameron and Ms Baerbock wrote.

“It ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself: Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israeli citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms.”

Amnesty International UK welcomed the “important change of language” from Mr Cameron.

Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has also faced domestic protests this weekend after Israeli troops on Friday mistakenly killed three hostages.

The Israeli military confirmed on Saturday that the men had been waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were killed.

Israel’s chief of the general staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, has taken responsibility for the accidental killing of three hostages in Gaza.