Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate
on the situation in the Middle East.
President, the death of Hamas' leader, who had the blood of
innocent Israelis and Palestinians on his hand, must be a turning
point in this dreadful conflict, which has now claimed over
43,000 lives in Gaza.
This is the time to urgently seize a ceasefire in Gaza and the
immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who have
suffered in inhumane conditions for over a year.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific. Acute
malnutrition is now a reality for many. This month, the least aid
has entered Gaza since the beginning of the conflict.
And the situation in northern Gaza is especially alarming.
Gazans have been asked to evacuate the north in their
hundreds of thousands. But there is nowhere safe to go. In recent
weeks, just as we have seen throughout the conflict, Israeli
strikes have hit designated humanitarian zones.
On Thursday, we saw again profoundly distressing scenes after an
Israeli strike on Al-Shuhada – a school-turned shelter in
Nuseirat refugee camp, which killed at least 17 people, including
nine children.
We remain very concerned too about the severe impacts of
these strikes on civilian infrastructure, including
healthcare facilities, which face critical shortages in medical
supplies, food and water. Israel must comply fully with
international humanitarian law. As my Prime Minister has said,
the world will not tolerate any more excuses from Israel on
humanitarian assistance.
There is no justification for denying civilians access to
essential supplies. The Government of Israel must do more to
protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and allow aid to be
delivered safely and at scale. Related to this, reports that UN
agencies have had to postpone the rollout of the polio vaccine
campaign in northern Gaza are deeply disturbing. Israeli
authorities must allow aid workers to carry out this work safely
and securely.
We also unequivocally reject attempts to undermine or degrade
UNRWA, which is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza
and a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of civilians there, and
in the wider region. The allegations against UNRWA staff earlier
this year were fully investigated. There is no justification for
cutting off ties with UNRWA. Israel must abide by its obligations
and ensure UNRWA can continue its lifesaving work.
President, we reiterate that northern Gaza must not be cut
off from the south. Palestinian civilians, including those
evacuated from northern Gaza must be permitted to return. There
must be no forcible transfer of Gazans from or within Gaza, nor
any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. Civilians must
be protected.
In the West Bank, the level of llegal settlement expansion and
settler violence is unprecedented. Israel must take action now to
address this.
President, a sustainable solution to this crisis cannot and will
not be achieved through unilateral action. The international
community and this Council have been clear and unified
in our commitment to the two state solution, which is
the only viable path to a long term peaceful solution.
The Palestinian and Israeli people alike have a right to
self-determination, safety and security, and we must all work
together to provide a credible and irreversible pathway towards a
two-state solution.
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