Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed on Friday that global leaders should do everything possible to avoid a contagion of conflict in the Middle East, Sunak's office said.
Sunak also welcomed efforts by Egypt to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza as soon as possible, his office said following a meeting between the pair in Cairo.
Sunak later met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo and underscored the need for aid to be allowed into Gaza and for Hamas and Israel to avoid civilian casualties in their conflict, Sunak's office said.
"The Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences for the loss of civilian lives in Gaza ... The leaders agreed on the need for all parties to take steps to protect civilians," Sunak's office said in a statement following the meeting.
"The Prime Minister underscored his commitment to opening up humanitarian access to Gaza," the statement added.
