Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
A group of Conservative MPs, including three former Cabinet ministers, have written to the Foreign Secretary to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The group of 10, including former Cabinet ministers Kit Malthouse, David Jones and George Eustice, told David Cameron they were dismayed by the UK's abstention in the UN vote calling for a halt in hostilities, adding that the case is unanswerable.
"The case for a ceasefire seems to us to be unanswerable, with many thousands of civilians dead and injured and close to two million forcibly displaced," they said.
That came after another group, including former head of the armed forces Lord Richards and six former British ambassadors, wrote to British Mr Cameron to warn the UK's failure to call for a ceasefire is “strategically ill-advised and morally indefensible” ahead of Tuesday's key UN Security Council vote.
British government officials have indicated to The National that with the very high Palestinian death toll its position on Israel’s military operation in Gaza is “hardening”.
“Our language is certainly hardening towards Israel and the window is certainly closing [on the military operation in Gaza],” a government source said.
It was also suggested that the Israelis might have just a few weeks left in which to complete major offensive manoeuvres before pressure from its allies became too intense for a ceasefire.
But the source indicated that it was ultimately down to the American position on when Israel would stop operations.
'We are on the right side of history'
Paul Bristow said on X that he was part of the group of MPs who had written to Mr Cameron.
"On October 26 I called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza," Mr Bristow said. "I lost my job as a PPS [parliamentary private secretary].
"Today more Conservative MP colleagues call for a ceasefire. This is big news.
"Lord Cameron has called for lasting peace. Every day more people call for a ceasefire.
"We are on the right side of history."
The western approach to how Israel is conducting its military offensive against Hamas appears to be hardening.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week shifted his language to call for a “sustainable ceasefire”, urging Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel and release hostages in exchange for aid.
The letter from the foreign policy and military experts noted the government's "slight positive change in tone late last week".
It added: “However, the UK’s continued rejection of an immediate ceasefire is strategically ill-advised and morally indefensible. Conventional military wisdom is clear: political solutions stop conflict, free hostages and protect innocent civilians. Aerial bombardment does not. The longer violence goes on, the harder it will be to reduce tensions between Palestinian and Israeli communities."
The letter went on to say the “international consensus is overwhelming” and the UK and US were the only countries not to vote in favour of a series of measures and resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire.
“These votes left the US and UK increasingly isolated, and at risk of becoming complicit in breaches of international law in Gaza.”
The 10-week war has killed more than 19,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Mr Cameron is visiting Paris and Rome on Tuesday in an attempt to foster European unity on the Israel-Gaza war, Ukraine and efforts to tackle unauthorised migration.
During the one-day trip, he will meet the leaders of France and Italy, Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, as well as their foreign ministers.
Speaking from Paris, he said on Tuesday that France and the UK will support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion "for as long as it takes", adding it was essential that President Vladimir Putin was defeated.
"Britain and France have been staunch supporters of Ukraine and we will continue to be for as long as it takes," Mr Cameron said after talks in Paris with French counterpart Catherine Colonna, adding: "I have no doubt that we can make sure Putin loses and it is essential he does lose."
His visit follows Mr Sunak's meeting with Ms Meloni on Saturday, with the leader of Britain's Conservative Party warning that the threat of migration could “overwhelm” European states.
Ahead of his trip, Mr Cameron – who resigned as prime minister after the UK electorate voted to leave the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum – said Britain needed to “strengthen our alliances” in the face of global crises.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the visit will look ahead to a milestone year for UK-France relations in 2024.
Next year marks 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale and 80 years since the D-Day landings that helped liberate Europe during the Second World War.
In Rome, Mr Cameron will hold talks with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and address Italian ambassadors at Italy's foreign ministry for their annual heads of mission conference.
David Cameron appointed UK Foreign Secretary – in pictures
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Britain's new Foreign Secretary David Cameron, fourth right, attends his first Cabinet meeting at No 10 Downing Street. AP -
Mr Cameron speaks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he is appointed Foreign Secretary. Photo: No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Cameron arrives at 10 Downing Street, seven years after he stepped down as prime minister. Reuters -
Mr Cameron alongside fellow former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London. Getty Images -
David Cameron at the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral in London in 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Cameron leaves his home in London to give evidence to a select committee on Greensill in 2021. Getty Images -
David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street in June 2016. Getty Images -
David Cameron on his campaign bus in 2016 on the final day of campaigning on whether Britain should remain or leave the EU. Getty Images -
China's President Xi Jinping and David Cameron at a joint press conference in 10 Downing Street in 2015. Getty Images -
David Cameron stands with then-London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2012. Getty Images -
Vladimir Putin with David Cameron at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images -
Mr Cameron is greeted by wellwishers during a visit to Tripoli in September 2011. Getty Images -
Mr Cameron and US President Barack Obama walk in the gardens of Lancaster House in 2011. Getty Images -
David Cameron and George Osborne at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in 2010. Getty Images -
David Cameron with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on their first day of coalition government on May 2010 in London. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth greets David Cameron at Buckingham Palace for an audience to invite him to be the next Prime Minister, in May 2010. Getty Images -
Former Conservative Party leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg and then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown debate during the third and final leader's debate in Birmingham in 2010. Getty Images -
David Cameron at the Great Brook Charity run in 2009 in Chadlington, Oxfordshire. Getty Images -
David Cameron, George Osborne and William Hague walk to the International Conference Centre during the Conservative Party conference in 2008 in Birmingham. Getty Images -
David Cameron waves to supporters with his wife Samantha after winning the leadership election in 2005 in London. Getty Images -
David Cameron celebrates with supporters at his constituency office in 2005 in Witney, Oxfordshire. Getty Images
He will also meet Ms Meloni, with efforts to tackle unauthorised migration at the top of the agenda.
Officials said the pair will welcome a new agreement between the two countries, announced during Mr Sunak’s trip to the Italian capital on Saturday, to contribute £4 million ($5.1 million) to the International Organisation for Migration’s assisted voluntary returns project in Tunisia.
The FCDO said the joint funding will go towards providing humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable and stranded migrants to return home safely.
Mr Sunak has made putting a stop to boats carrying migrants crossing the English Channel one of his top priorities ahead of an expected general election next year.
The Prime Minister is looking to pass an emergency law to prevent asylum seekers from legally contesting the government’s plan to deport some migrants to Rwanda in East Africa.
