Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Gaza.
President, we are all horrified by the deterioration of the
healthcare situation in Gaza.
It is completely unacceptable that since 7 October many medical
facilities have been destroyed or damaged and over 1000 medical
personnel have been killed, injured or detained. And, as Dr.
Hassan has reminded us, their SOS calls have been ignored.
Following the forcible evacuation of Kamal Adwan hospital, there
are now no functioning hospitals in North Gaza Governorate.
Deteriorating access to medical services across Gaza is
compounding acute child malnutrition, the risk of imminent famine
and the spread of infectious diseases.
As we face this devastating situation, the UK reiterates three
key and fundamental demands.
First, we call for civilians and medical staff to be protected in
line with international humanitarian law. Israel is responsible
for ensuring that civilians have access to vital medical care and
for enabling medical practitioners to operate safely.
The UK continues to urge Israel to abide by their international
obligations, including those set out in Security Council
resolution 2286. And we also call on Israel to clarify the
whereabouts of medical staff detained from hospitals in the
north.
We are aware of reports of Hamas using civilian infrastructure
for their operations, including hospitals.
The UK strongly condemns any such actions. By embedding
themselves in civilian infrastructure, Hamas clearly put
Palestinian civilians and medical staff at risk.
We reiterate however, that obligations under IHL to protect
hospitals and healthcare workers are unconditional.
President, second, UNRWA must be allowed to play its essential
role, including in delivering medical services and we
unequivocally reject attempts to undermine its mandate.
On 11 December, my Prime Minister committed an additional $16.5
million to UNRWA to support vital services, including for medical
care.
The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare
including through funding to UK-Med to run a field hospital and
provide other healthcare services in Gaza.
President, third, Israel must do much more to immediately address
this crisis and both sides must finally end this war.
The UK will keep pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the release
of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, for the better
protection of civilians, for more aid consistently entering Gaza,
and for a path to long-term peace and stability.
Updates to this page
