: Madam Deputy Speaker,
We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents,
in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid
sites in Gaza.
Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should
never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves
and their families.
We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these
events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
It is deeply disturbing that these incidents happened near the
new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution
sites.
They highlight the utterly desperate need to get aid in.
The Israeli Government says it has opened up aid access with its
new system.
But the warnings raised by the United Kingdom, the United
Nations, aid partners and the international community about these
operations have materialised and the results are agonising.
Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane,
foster desperation and endanger civilians.
Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end. It is
inhumane.
Israel must immediately allow the UN and aid partners to safely
deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering
and maintain dignity. It must ensure food and other critical
supplies can reach people safely where they are across the whole
of the Gaza Strip. Civilians, medical and humanitarian workers
and facilities must be protected.
We will continue to be steadfast in our support for the UN and
other trusted INGOs as the most effective and principled partners
for aid delivery.
Our support has meant over 465,000 people have received essential
healthcare, 640,000 have received food, and 275,000 people have
improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Just two weeks ago, my honourable friend, the Minister for
Development, announced £4m additional funding to support the
British Red Cross, enabling the delivery humanitarian relief in
Gaza through their partner the Palestinian Red Crescent. Th was
part of our wider £101m support package for this financial year.
Aid must be allowed in so this support can continue.
Today, the UN Security Council is expected to consider a
resolution for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the
hostages and the lifting of all Israeli restrictions on
humanitarian aid, and supporting delivery by the UN.
And we will once again use our vote in support of these
goals.
Following our leadership in coordinating dozens of countries to
address the humanitarian situation, the joint statement from the
UK, France and Canada, as well as the actions announced by my
Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary on 20 May, we will
continue to convene international partners to increase the
pressure and take further steps to address the catastrophic
situation on the ground.
We will continue to strongly support the efforts led by the
United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire
in Gaza. As the Prime Minister has said, a ceasefire is the best
way to secure the release of all remaining hostages and achieve a
long-term political solution.
This Israeli Government's decision to expand its military
operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid undermine all these
goals.
Madam Deputy Speaker,
We repeat our utter condemnation of Hamas, our demand that it
releases all the hostages immediately and unconditionally. They
can have no role in the future governance of Gaza.
A two-state solution is the only way to bring the long-lasting
peace, stability and security that both Israelis and Palestinians
deserve. We welcome France and Saudi Arabia's leadership in
chairing an international conference later this month.
I commend this statement to the House.
