During his visit to Israel yesterday, James Cleverly was forced to flee for shelter as a Hamas missile barrage created panic.
The Foreign Secretary sought refuge as sirens warned of an impending volley in the southern city of Ofakim,
“I’ve seen a glimpse of what millions experience every day,” Mr Cleverly remarked after the horrific incident. Every Israeli man, woman, and kid is threatened by Hamas rockets. This is why we are standing side by side with Israel.”
Mr Cleverly said he flew to Israel in a show of “unflinching British solidarity”, reiterating the UK’s full and unequivocal support for the state to defend itself.
He said British support for its people is “unwavering”.
His visit came as the lights went out in Gaza when its only power station was forced to shut down, leaving the enclave without electricity.
Israel cut off fuel supplies as part of its “total blockade”, it was said.
Yesterday it was feared 17 Britons had died in the mass slaughter wreaked by rampaging Hamas terrorists. The bloodshed has now claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides. Officials said the grim toll, including children, is certain to rise.
Of the Britons killed, four are already known to have died during a massacre by invading fighters who launched a cross-border killing spree on Saturday.
Scottish grandfather Bernard Cowan, London-born Israeli soldier Nathanel Young, photographer Dan Darlington and traveller Jake Marlowe all perished in the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the slaughter as the worst atrocity since millions of Jews were rounded up and murdered during the Second World War.