Israel want to crush Hamas to avoid war spilling across Middle East, Foreign Sec says after emergency COBRA

ISRAEL wants to crush evil Hamas terrorists to stop war spilling across the Middle East, James Cleverly said this evening.

Following an emergency COBRA meeting, the Foreign Secretary confirmed brave Israeli soldiers are "very focused on dealing with this specific terrorist threat from Hamas".

Amid fears Lebanon could enter the conflict in a matter of hours, Mr Cleverly said: "I have spoken with representatives and governments around the region and we are all agreed that nobody wants this to to spill out into other parts of the region.

"Israel are very focused on dealing with a specific terrorist threat from Hamas emanating from Gaza. That remains their focus."

The Foreign Secretary added: "This is a fast moving situation, and therefore I'm uncomfortable speculating about the nature or the numbers of people involved.

"But this is unprecedented. We recognise this as an incredibly difficult time for the people of Israel.

"Our thoughts are with them and we will continue to work with the government of Israel to bring about peace and security to their country and the people there."

The PM gathered his top ministers and security officials this afternoon to plan the response to brutal attacks.

Israel - a close ally of Britain - has declared a state of war after Hamas unleashed terror on its citizens in a bloody siege.

More than 1,100 people in Israel and Gaza have been killed since the Palestinian militant group stormed across the border on Saturday.

Haunting footage of Hamas gunmen holding hostage soldiers, civilians, women and children has shocked the world.

The UK has unequivocally condemned Hamas' violence and supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Israel is expected to launch a full-scale invasion of Hamas-controlled Gaza within 48 hours.

It comes as...

• More than 1,100 have been confirmed dead in Israel and Gaza and thousands more injured
• Hamas terrorists launched an all-out attack on Israel from land, air and sea with 5,000 rockets fired
• The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 378 people had died in the violence that followed the surprise Hamas attack on Israel
• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Gaza will be "reduced to rubble"
• Reports emerged of kidnapped Israeli soldiers being paraded on military vehicles
• British citizen Jake Marlowe has been reported missing after attending a music festival in southern Israel
• Netanyahu mobilised the country’s army reserves following his declaration of war
• The attack has been dubbed "Israel's 9/11" after an "embarrassing intelligence failure"

Mr Sunak last night held a call with Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu pledging "any support he needs".

He said today: "This is not a time for equivocation we should call it out for what it is.”

"What I’ve said to the Israeli PM is we will provide all the support they need to defend themselves.

"As I said, we will continue diplomatic intelligence or security support. 

"Whatever they need. We are in close dialogue with our Israeli counterparts and I’m sure all you like me will want to stand steadfast."

Mr Sunak added: "Citizens of Israel are being murdered. Innocent people are being kidnapped including children.

"Obviously, that’s shocking and that’s horrifying and Hamas should be held accountable for that.

"What I’ve said to the Israeli PM is that we will provide all the support that they need to make sure that Israel can defend itself against these kinds of attacks.

"We already have a very longstanding relationship with Israel. We will continue to provide whether that’s diplomatic support or whatever they need."

COBRA - Cabinet Office Briefing Room A - is the meeting room where the most senior ministers and officials respond to national threats.

So far, at least 700 people have been killed in Israel while more than 400 are confirmed dead in Gaza - with the death toll set to soar on both sides.