UK PM Rishi Sunak welcomes launch of EU operations in Red Sea

British Prime Minister and EU President Ursula von der Leyen express concern for loss of life in Gaza

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in London in February 2023. AFP

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Sunday discussed Ukraine, the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, migration, the Gaza crisis and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

The leaders agreed during a phone call that it is important that significantly more aid reaches those who need it in Gaza and expressed concern for the loss of life during the war.

They also condemned the recent Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen welcomed efforts such as Prosperity Guardian and Operation Aspides to restore stability, keep people safe and ensure vessels are free to navigate through the area.

On the war in Ukraine, both leaders underscored the importance of providing support to the Ukrainian people, with Mr Sunak welcoming the recent announcement that the EU will provide the country with a €50 billion [$54 billion] support package.

Latest from the Israel-Gaza war - in pictures

Displaced Palestinians hold a white flag as they pass an Israeli tank position while fleeing the Hamad Town district of Khan Younis. Bloomberg

A Palestinian woman cuts material to be used for sewing nappies at a workshop in Rafah. AFP

Smoke rises following an explosion in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel. AP

Parachutes carrying relief for Palestinians drop from an Egyptian Air Force cargo plane over central Gaza. Bloomberg

A Palestinian boy who is suffering from malnutrition is treated at a healthcare centre amid widespread hunger. Reuters

Palestinian children attend an English class in the library of the school housing displaced people in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

An UNRWA-run school housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah. AFP

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Rafah. AP

A wounded Palestinian man who lost his wife and daughter walks past a neighbours' house destroyed by Israeli bombing in Rafah. AFP

An injured man is rescued from the rubble after an Israeli air strike on the Rafah camp in Gaza. EPA

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of houses destroyed by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza city. AFP

Aid is dropped into Gaza from US military aircraft. Reuters

Palestinians gather at air lorries in Gaza. More than 100 were killed when Israeli troops opened fire. AP

The sun sets behind destroyed buildings in Gaza. AFP

A Palestinian man enters a heavily damaged house following an Israeli strike in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

A wounded Palestinian is assisted at the site of an Israeli strike in Deir Al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. Reuters

Palestinians gather in the hope of getting bags of flour carried by air lorries near an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza city, as the enclave's residents face crisis levels of hunger. Reuters

Palestinian children wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues in Gaza. Reuters

A displaced Palestinian child holds a crying baby in a camp in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

With the UK and Frontex due to formalise an agreement in coming days to tackle illegal migration, the leaders welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the new working arrangement.

Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen also expressed their outrage at the death of Alexei Navalny, and underscored the utmost importance of holding those responsible within the Russian system to account.

Their conversation was held before the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron was to speak to EU foreign ministers by video call on Monday.