Statement by , Minister for
Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the
Middle East.
"The human cost on October 7th was horrific. And since that day,
the hostages have endured unimaginable cruelty, and Palestinians
have faced relentless death and destruction.
We welcome President Abbas's call for the hostages to be
released, and we echo that call. We also need a return to the
ceasefire to end the terrible bloodshed.
We are deeply concerned by the World Food Programme's
announcement on Friday that its food stocks in Gaza have run out.
It is unacceptable that Israel has blocked humanitarian support
from entering Gaza for nearly two months, meaning that
Palestinian civilians, including one million children, are facing
starvation, disease and death.
UN and other workers must be able to deliver life-saving
assistance safely, and in line with humanitarian
principles.
We are outraged by recent attacks, including the killing of
Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the hit on a UN compound on
19th March. Israel has admitted that this was caused by one of
their tanks, despite the compound being known to the IDF as a UN
humanitarian facility.
This is inexcusable.
We urge Israel to ensure accurate public statements on such grave
incidents. It must conduct full and transparent investigations
into these incidents, hold those responsible to account and
reinstate an effective deconfliction system to prevent such
tragedies.
President, the UK believes that lasting peace and security can
only be achieved through a two-state solution.
And we thank France and Saudi Arabia for their leadership in
preparing for the conference in June. We should build on the Arab
plan for Gaza's future and develop credible security and
governance plans acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians.
Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel and
we should build the capability of the Palestinian Authority,
which will be central to a future State.
Finally, we must seize the opportunity to build lasting
peace across the region. There has been important progress in
Lebanon, where the government has committed to crucial reforms,
and in Syria, with moves towards an inclusive political
transition.
The United Kingdom will continue to support the Lebanese and
Syrian people to build on this momentum and we urge all parties
to avoid destabilising actions and abide by their international
obligations.
President, a better future in the Middle East is possible.
To realise it, we must return to a ceasefire in Gaza, reinvest in
efforts to achieve a two-state solution and pursue wider
normalisation of relationships for the benefit of Palestinians,
Israelis, and all those living in the region. I thank you."
