Former Prime Ministers of UK, Australia Arrive In Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict With Hamas

TEL AVIV: Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison have arrived in Israel to showcase support for Tel Aviv amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas, The Times of Israel reported. During their visit, Johnson and Morrison will reportedly meet Israel President Isaac Herzog and family members of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza. The two leaders will also visit southern Gaza border towns that have been devastated by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, according to The Times of Israel report.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon has hosted the visit of Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison. He said that Morrison and Johnson will meet Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers and southern communities of Israel. In a post shared on X, Danny Danon stated, "Early this morning, at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, I received my friends Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Scott Morrison, the former Prime Minister of Australia - both true friends of Israel. During the day we will visit Israel's Southern communities and meet with our heroic IDF soldiers. On behalf of all the people of Israel, we thank you for your steadfast support."

Scott Morrison said he was "thankful for the opportunity to join former prime minister Johnson in coming to Israel as a demonstration of solidarity with the people and State of Israel and the Jewish community throughout the world." He called it an opportunity to understand firsthand what is happening on the ground, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Morrison said, "It is an opportunity to understand firsthand what is occurring on the ground, honour those who have been lost, show support to those who have suffered and are now engaged in this terrible conflict and discuss how to move forward," according to The Sydney Morning Herald report. Earlier on October 19, Rishi Sunak landed in Tel Aviv to express solidarity with the war-torn country. After landing in Israel, Sunak on X posted, "I am in Israel, a nation in grief. I grieve with you and stand with you against the evil that is terrorism. Today, and always."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a private meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In a statement shared on X, Israel Prime Minister's Office stated, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently holding a private meeting with British Prime Minister @RishiSunak at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. The leaders will also hold an expanded meeting, at the conclusion of which they will issue statements to the media."

According to the latest updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has said the forces are determined to continue to operate against Hamas terrorists. In a post on social media platform X, the IDF wrote, quoting Hagari, "They are strong. They are determined. They are prepared. They know what they are fighting for." "Our forces continue to operate against Hamas' leadership and infrastructure in northern Gaza," he added.The IDF also claimed that Hamas hides within the intricate network of "terror tunnels."

"While Hamas obstructs their civilians from getting to safety in southern Gaza, Hamas hides within their intricate network of terror tunnels," the IDF posted on X."IDF troops uncovered multiple access points during operational activity in northern Gaza," it added.