A UK cabinet minister has underscored the importance of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a broader regional escalation, as clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah continue to intensify.

"The situation in Lebanon is worrying and has been going on for some time. The key to all of this is getting that ceasefire in Gaza," Environment Minister Steve Reed told Sky News on Sunday.

Reed expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence, highlighting the humanitarian toll it has taken.

"Anyone that has seen the latest images, like so much of what we’ve seen in recent months, it is heartbreaking to see what’s going on. It’s such a painful human reminder of why we need to get to a situation where the fighting can stop," he stated.

He stressed that the ceasefire would need to be "respected by both sides," emphasizing the necessity for the "immediate release of hostages and unimpeded aid into Gaza so that they can start to rebuild."

"The international community needs to work together to bring about an end to the fighting and pave the way for a two-state solution," he added.

Reed emphasized the importance of a coordinated international effort to end the violence and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.

"It’s very important that the entire international community is working in concert. I don’t think it helps if one country takes a different position, to bring about an end to the fighting that we want to see," he said. "That in turn is only the first step to bring about the longer peace," he concluded.

The remarks come as international diplomats, including officials from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, are set to meet with Israeli representatives in Rome to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.