London mayor calls for cease-fire amid 'deteriorating situation' in Gaza

London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday joined an international chorus of calls for a cease-fire as a "terrible situation in Gaza now looks set to deteriorate even further."

In a video statement on X, Khan expressed concern over the situation on the ground, underlining that thousands of innocent civilians had already been killed in the strip that has faced weeks of intense Israeli bombardment and blockade.

"It's becoming impossible for aid to reach the people who desperately need it. Substantial military escalation is now likely which will only deepen the humanitarian disaster," he added.

Khan said he joined the international community in calling for a cease-fire which, he noted, would stop the killing and will allow vital aid supplies to reach those who needed in Gaza.

While reiterating his support for Israel's "right to defend itself" and take action to free hostages taken by Palestinian group Hamas in a surprise attack on Oct. 7, Khan underlined that a widespread military escalation would only deepen the "humanitarian disaster" and human suffering on all sides.

"No nation, including Israel, has the right to break international law," he underlined, adding that there "can only" ever be a political resolution to achieve in peace.

The current conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically after Hamas' military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

Over 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel's massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.