THE UK is working with other countries to try and ensure that the conflict in Gaza does not develop into a wider regional conflict, according to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

He told GB News: “We have to understand that Israel has experienced an unprecedented terrorist atrocity. Hundreds upon hundreds of people killed, children, women, civilians, old people, killed and kidnapped.

“The international support is incredibly important to them, is meaningful for them. Of course, they are absolutely determined to focus their response exclusively on the Hamas terrorists operating out of Gaza and they are very, very keen that this violence does not spill over either on to the West Bank or to the countries on their borders.

“We are working diplomatically with the countries in the region to try and ensure that Hamas don’t get what they want, which is to turn this into a wider conflict.”

In a discussion during Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster, he continued: “The Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the whole of government takes the protection of all people in the UK incredibly seriously.

“We know that when there are situations like this in the Middle East, the Jewish community here in the UK is targeted, but the Home Secretary has written to police chiefs across the country, instructing them to give enhanced reassurance to the Jewish community and enhanced protection to the Jewish community.

“Everyone in the UK has the right to live in peace and security, particularly the Jewish community in these difficult times and the Government is absolutely determined to make sure that remains the case.”

He added: “I’m not going to go into details about what they [Israel] may ask of us in the future, but we are working very closely with them. They know that they have our support.

“They know that we will continue to work with them to help protect their country and the people of their country and, of course, to regain those people who have been kidnapped by the Hamas terrorists.”