England-Germany Hope For Progress In Israeli-Hamas Negotiations

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz/PHOTO via Instagram @keirstarmer

JAKARTA - Germany and Britain hope that there will be progress in ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel, and urge Israeli authorities to allow unrestricted humanitarian access toGaza.

In a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said they were both very concerned about rising tensions in the Middle East.

He said the suffering of Gazans is increasing, as well as the risk of confrontation.

"We urge all parties to immediately continue negotiations to reach the ceasefire and release the hostages," Scholz said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, August 28.

He also asked Israeli authorities to take steps to avoid casualties in Gaza and allow the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.

"I am deeply concerned about the bad humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the lack of protection for civilians and humanitarian aid workers," Scholz said. "At this stage, Israel must do more."

Meanwhile, Starmer stressed that the two countries need to have the same views on resolving the Middle East conflict, and they will continue to work together to find a political settlement.

He called for the opening of an unbounded humanitarian access to Gaza and stressed the importance of joint efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East and reached a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Starmer said the formation of a Palestinian state side by side with Israel would be the only way to achieve long-term peace and security for citizens of both countries.

"And that, of course, is not an easy goal, but we are all committed to achieving it together," he said.