Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

The violence has to stop as quickly as possible. We continue to call on Hamas to stop its rocket attacks on Israel. We also urge Israel to de-escalate the situation. We need an agreed ceasefire as soon as possible, and we stand strongly behind the Egyptian efforts to achieve this. The people of Gaza deserve a better future.

During my visit yesterday [to the West Bank] I also heard about the situation in the West Bank, where I am deeply concerned about the clashes between Palestinian protestors and the IDF.

Only a lasting and comprehensive peace settlement in the region will put an end to the unsustainable situation in both Gaza and the West Bank.

I am particularly concerned about the spiral of violence at the time of intense efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel... We all know there are many details to work out. But while that happens civilians continue to die.