Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security
Council meeting on Gaza.
Thank you, President, I thank Executive Directors Bahous,
Russell, and Kanem for briefing us today.
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza is acute. The loss that
innocent civilians are suffering is incomprehensible. Too many -
including women and children - are losing their lives. Our
collective priority must be to alleviate this suffering. It is
crucial that all sides uphold international humanitarian law and
take all possible measures to protect innocent civilians,
including at hospitals and schools.
We welcome the announcement of the agreement reached today for a
coordinated release of hostages and pause in the fighting. This
is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the
hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We urge
all parties to ensure the agreement is delivered in full.
The UK welcomes the immense international cooperation, including
the efforts from Qatar, Egypt, the US, and Israel, that has led
to an agreement being reached.
President, this pause provides an important opportunity to ensure
much greater volumes of food, fuel and other life-saving aid can
reach Gaza on a sustained basis. We are particularly concerned
for civilians in northern Gaza, where there has been no water or
food supplied for at least two weeks, and hospitals and health
centres are unable to function. These people urgently need help,
and they need it now.
The UK continues to call and advocate for increased land access
through the Rafah crossing, and the full opening of the Kerem
Shalom crossing, to get critical goods into Gaza at much greater
speeds. We continue to press Israel to authorise the entry of at
least 200,000 litres of fuel per day.
Whilst the UK regrets that resolution 2712 could not clearly
condemn Hamas’ terror attacks of 7 October, we strongly support
the objective of that resolution: to get aid in, and hostages and
civilians out. And to achieve that objective, we call for the
resolution’s urgent implementation.
Finally, President, we share colleagues’ concerns about
escalatory actions which disrupt regional peace and security. The
UK is intensively engaging with partners to prevent further
escalation. We condemn the unlawful seizure of the MV Galaxy
Leader by the Houthis on 19 November and call for the immediate,
and unconditional, release of the ship and its crew.
We continue to work towards a two-state solution which provides
justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
