Minister of State FCDO (): The Government supports
Israels right to self-defence, in compliance with International
Humanitarian Law, against the horrific terror attacks perpetrated
by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
We condemn the slaughter, abuse and gender-based violence
perpetrated on 7th October 2023, Hamas’ use of civilian areas,
their continued failure to release hostages and their ongoing
launching of attacks into Israel.
We are working to end the fighting in Gaza, to stop the further
loss of civilian lives and create the conditions for a permanent
peace.
The most effective way to end the fighting in Gaza is to agree an
immediate humanitarian pause, which we have consistently called
for. This would allow for the safe release of hostages and a
significant increase in the aid going to Gaza.
Crucially, it would also provide a vital opportunity to establish
the conditions for a genuinely long-term and sustainable
ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of
life.
That is a position shared by our close partners, and what our
diplomatic efforts are focused on.
We have set out the vital elements for a lasting peace, namely:
- the immediate release of all hostages;
- removing Hamas’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel;
- Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza;
- the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West
Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package;
and,
- a political horizon which provides a credible and
irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
We are increasingly concerned about the growing humanitarian
crisis in Gaza and recognise the urgent need to significantly
scale up the flow of aid getting in. All parties must take
immediate steps to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, ease
restrictions on humanitarian supplies and ensure the UN and aid
agencies can reach civilians in need throughout Gaza.
The UK is stepping up support. We have tripled our aid
commitment. In the last week, family tents provided by the UK and
Qatar have arrived in Rafah, and on Wednesday, the UK and Jordan
air-dropped life-saving aid to a hospital in northern Gaza,
providing four tonnes of vital supplies including medicines and
food for hospital patients and staff.
We remain deeply concerned at the number of civilian casualties
to date, and at the prospect of an Israeli military offensive
into Rafah. Over half of Gaza’s population are sheltering in the
area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the
people who so desperately need it. We continue to urge Israel to
limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming
citizens.
Ultimately, a two-state solution is the best way to ensure safety
and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Our
long-standing position remains that we will recognise a
Palestinian State at a time that is most conducive to the peace
process.
The Palestinian Authority has an important long-term role to play
and will need continued support from us and our partners, but it
must also take concrete steps on reform. We remain concerned
about the situation in the West Bank– and have taken action in
response to extremist settler violence.
We are committed to finding a lasting resolution to this conflict
that ensures Israelis and Palestinians can live in the future
with dignity and security. It is the aim of the Government to see
an end to the fighting as soon as possible and the creation of a
permanent peace based on a new political horizon for the region.
