Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza in his first conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan since taking office.

A Downing Street spokesperson said, “Ensuring an immediate ceasefire is vital to ensure hostages get out and further aid can get into Gaza, the leaders agreed.”

Starmer updated the Jordanian monarch on Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Downing Street said “the leaders discussed the situation on the ground… and commended King Abdullah for his strong leadership in ensuring regional security.”

The leaders looked forward to meeting in person “at the earliest opportunity,” the spokesperson added.

Yesterday, in his first trip to the Middle East since becoming Foreign Secretary, Lammy met Israeli President Isaac Herzog when he expressed hope that an agreement to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas could be reached: “We see a hostage deal emerge in the coming days, and I am using all diplomatic efforts. Indeed, last week with the G7 nations, and particularly with [US] Secretary of State Blinken pressing for that hostage deal,” he said.

Israel’s president said “the bonds between the British and Israeli peoples are as strong and robust as they are historic and impactful - especially now, in facing the challenges ahead of us; in returning the hostages barbarically held captive in Gaza, and in the fight against the evil empire led by Iran, which seeks to destabilise global stability.”

On Sunday, Lammy met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.

Lammy’s visit took place in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Mohamed Deif, the second most senior Hamas military figure in Gaza. Deif’s fate remains unknown, although Israeli military sources have said they think it is unlikely that he survived the airstrike.