British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Israel has committed to abide by international law as it prepares to launch a ground offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel.

Cleverly told the BBC that Israel President Isaac Herzog told him privately and has "now also said publicly that Israel respects and will abide by international law.”

“Israel does have the right to defend itself and protect itself from terrorist attacks from Hamas coming out of Gaza,” Cleverly said.

Arab states and rights groups have criticized Israel's response to the Hamas attack as a form of collective punishment. The Israel Defense Forces have pounded Gaza with airstrikes targeting Hamas since the October 7 attack. At least 2,329 people, including many children, have been killed in the bombardment, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Israel has also cut off electricity, food and water to the densely populated enclave, pushing the healthcare system to the brink and fueling a humanitarian crisis.

Cleverly in his response suggested that Hamas is trying to prevent Palestinians from leaving Gaza so that they can be used as “human shields" after the IDF warned more than half of Gaza's 2 million residents to evacuate the small coastal enclave's northern area. Hamas told Gazans to ignore the Israeli statement.

“We want to minimize Palestinian casualties. We want to minimize Israeli casualties. We want everybody to respect civilians," Cleverly said. "But the real clear distinction is -- Israel are trying to get civilians out of danger. Hamas are trying to put civilians into danger, and that is a fundamental difference between the two."

Rafah crossing remains closed: Cleverly added that Britain's efforts to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza have so far been unsuccessful.

“We are seeking to do that to provide some kind of support,” he continued. “Whether they be British nationals who are seeking to leave Gaza … or humanitarian support for the people of Gaza.”

Cleverly said the circumstances around opening the Rafah Crossing are “very, very difficult. At the moment, we have not been successful in getting the Rafah Crossing opened."