But he added: “We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict in the Middle East. I reiterate my call for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, and for the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, and Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, also called for a ceasefire.

Heaviest bombardment

Israel’s bombardment of Beirut on Sunday was the heaviest of the war so far.

Israel was on Sunday night also weighing its response to a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles on Tuesday. Flights from all Iran’s airports were cancelled from Sunday night at 9pm until 6am Monday, according to Iranian state media.

The cancellations came amid fears that a new attack, or counter-attack, could be launched to coincide with the anniversary of Oct 7. Iran also implemented restrictions on flights last Tuesday when it launched its missile barrage at Israel.

Remembrance gatherings around Israel will start at 6.29am on Monday, local time, the moment the Hamas attack started one year ago.