Time for Gaza ceasefire deal is now, says David Lammy

It is hoped that a new ceasefire deal in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages would calm tensions in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Lammy said Israeli ministers had told him “they hope we are on the cusp of a deal”.

He added: “The time for a deal for those hostages to be returned, for aid to get in in the quantities that are necessary in Gaza, and for the fighting to stop, is now.”

The US said there had been a “promising start” to talks but “there remains a lot of work to do”.

Hamas has said it will not participate in the negotiations for now, although mediators are said to be relaying messages to the armed group’s officials based there.

The group – which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the UK and other countries – has claimed Israel has added new conditions to a previous proposal that had US and international support.

Earlier Mr Lammy warned of a “dangerous moment for the Middle East”.

“The risk of the situation spiralling out of control is rising. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region,” he said.

French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said: “It’s never too late for peace.

“We must at all costs avoid a regional war, which would have terrible consequences. We must secure a ceasefire agreement and the release of the all the hostages.”