In U.K., May Voices Concerns About Gaza Deaths, Netanyahu Says Israel Working to Minimize Palestinian Casualties

LONDON — Downing Street is concerned about the deaths of protesters in Gaza, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Benjamin Netanyahu as they met in London on Wednesday afternoon.

“We have been concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives,” May told the prime minister.

Netanyahu told May that Gaza's problems stemmed from Hamas' desire to destroy Israel. “We are not witnessing peaceful protests,” he said. “We are doing everything we can to both minimize casualties and at the same time protect Israeli lives.”

Ahead of the meeting, protesters opposing Netanyahu's visit held signs outside 10 Downing St. accusing Israel of massacring Palestinians.

Netanyahu landed in London on Wednesday after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron a day earlier in Paris.

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Later, Netanyahu will also meet with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

At a joint press conference Tuesday, Macron said the two leaders discussed Iran’s growing influence in the region and the 2015 nuclear deal. Macron stressed the importance of the nuclear accord but said it should be complemented with an agreement that targets Tehran’s ballistic-missile program and activities in the region.

Netanyahu, for his part, said he did not ask Macron to withdraw from the nuclear deal. “I didn’t ask France to withdraw from JCPOA because I think it will be dissolved by weight of economic forces,” Netanyahu said.

Macron also criticized the relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, saying it led to "people dying" and did not promote peace.