Hamas offensive risks sparking a wider regional conflict, says Foreign Secretary

GOVERNMENTS are working to try and ensure that Israel’s assault on Hamas does not result in an extended wider conflict in the region, according to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

He told GB News: “There is of course a real risk that Hamas is successful in turning this into a wider regional Arab Israeli or Muslim versus the rest of the world conflict.

“Israel are very conscious of that and are listening very carefully when we discuss what we can do to minimise the risk of that happening.

“I’ve been speaking with the leadership of countries in the region discussing how we can minimise the risk of that happening but Israel are conscious, we’re conscious of that and the international community is working to minimise the risk of that happening.”

In a discussion with Christopher Hope, he continued: “This terrible situation has run on for many years already.

“Israel left Gaza in 2005. Gaza has been run by Hamas since 2006 and Israel has come under consistent attack from Hamas emanating from Gaza since that time.

“So, of course, we are working to ensure that Israel have a plan, have an exit strategy and we will, of course, continue to do whatever we can to minimise the risk that this becomes an enduring, extended, painful regional conflict.”

Asked about MP Crispin Blunt’s controversial comments on the war, he said: “Well, I have spoken to Crispin about this issue. He is a long standing opponent of Israel’s actions.

“I fundamentally disagree. I fundamentally disagree with his assessment of this situation.”