John Swinney to raise Gaza humanitarian crisis in Donald Trump meeting
Trump was asked by journalists on Sunday at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire, ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, if he believed there was no point trying to restart ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
The US president didn't answer the question directly but did confirm the pair would be 'discussing a lot about Israel'.
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Now, Swinney has confirmed he will also be discussing the urgent need for a ceasefire in [[Gaza]] when he meets with Trump, along with his desire to see peace restored to Ukraine.
The First Minister said the meeting is a significant opportunity to 'speak up' for the issues that matter to people in Scotland, adding that global humanitarian issues are 'rightly at the forefront' of many people's minds.
Swinney said: 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza, and the need for an urgent ceasefire.
'I also intend to raise the barbaric war in Ukraine and discuss how we can work to bring an end to the conflict that has caused so much destruction to lives and livelihoods.
'Both the US President and I share a fundamental desire to build peace across the world and to end the suffering endured by so many. I hope that our discussion helps to further that aim.'
The First Minister's comments come after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from the latest round of peace talks in Qatar last week, with Trump saying Hamas 'didn't really want to make a deal'.
Israel has been facing increasing global condemnation for blocking most aid from reaching people in Gaza, leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with reports of widespread starvation and malnutrition.
Israel's military said on Sunday that it will begin a 'tactical pause' in fighting in three areas of Gaza and allow aid to come in through new corridors as it seeks to quash international criticism over the growing starvation crisis.
Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly died of starvation in recent weeks due to a humanitarian crisis attributed by the UN to Israel's blockade of almost all aid into the territory.
Despite the 'tactical pause' in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, Israel will continue fighting in other areas of Gaza.
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