Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Gaza.
The United Kingdom, together with Denmark, France, Greece and
Slovenia, called for this meeting out of deep concern for the
Israeli government's inhumane approach to the crisis in
Gaza.
This week marks 650 days since the horrific Hamas attacks of
October 7th.
With each day that passes, the hostages suffer yet more agony, in
appalling conditions and deprived from contact with their loved
ones.
And with each day that passes, the people of Gaza suffer death,
desperation and displacement.
This conflict has gone on for far too long.
There is a deal to be done.
We urge the parties to engage in the spirit of compromise to
secure an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a
pathway towards lasting peace.
I will make three points.
First, it is imperative that Israel lift its restrictions on aid
entering Gaza.
Without fuel, water systems and hospitals in Gaza are on the
verge of collapse.
Without medical supplies, treatable illnesses are costing
lives.
And without food, Palestinians are dying from malnutrition or
forced desperately to scramble for supplies.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has acknowledged that the UN has
the unique capacity to meet the immense humanitarian need.
So we call on Israel to allow the UN to save lives immediately
and without obstruction.
The United Kingdom welcomes the agreement between the EU and
Israel, but we need to see words turned into action.
Second, we strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military
operations.
We urge Israel immediately to implement and enforce robust
measures to protect civilians.
In the past four months, more than 1,000 children have been
killed.
Palestinians have also been fired upon by the IDF while
desperately seeking food, with 800 people killed at aid
sites.
This is abhorrent.
Third, the United Kingdom is appalled by the Israeli Defence
Minister's comments on forced displacement of Palestinians to
Rafah.
This would contravene the fundamental principles upon which the
UN was founded.
Palestinian territory must not be reduced, and civilians must be
able to return home.
President, the path forward lies in diplomacy and compromise to
deliver lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
We commend the leadership of France and the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia in co-chairing the upcoming conference on a Two-State
Solution, which offers us a crucial opportunity to advance this
goal.
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