- Foreign Secretary engages key strategic partners as part of a
long-term framework for peace in Gaza
- Meetings in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia amidst deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza
- Latest in series of UK visits to the Gulf to strengthen
relations across foreign policy, trade, investment and defence
The UK continues its push towards long term peace in Gaza as the
Foreign Secretary holds meetings with key partners in the Middle
East during a three-day visit.
Amid a backdrop of an appalling humanitarian crisis, including
the spread of famine, the Foreign Secretary will meet senior
officials in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia to build consensus around a framework for lasting
peace in the region. He will focus on the need to turn any
ceasefire into a durable peace, through a monitoring mechanism,
the disarmament of Hamas and a new governance framework for
Gaza.
The Foreign Secretary will reiterate that the war in Gaza
must be ended through an immediate ceasefire, the release of
all hostages, and through much more aid being allowed into Gaza.
During meetings, the Foreign Secretary will highlight that the
Israeli Government's refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza is
indefensible and that greater pressure needs to be exerted to
allow significantly more aid to enter the territory. He will call
for more pressure on Hamas to release all the hostages and accept
they can play no role in the governance of Gaza.
Foreign Secretary said:
“The situation in Gaza is utterly bleak. Each day the
humanitarian crisis worsens with famine threatening to spiral
across the territory, while the hostages remain cruelly held
captive.
“The UK is working in lockstep with our Gulf partners to
establish a framework for peace. Ending the war in Gaza means not
just reaching a ceasefire but turning it into a durable
peace.
“As we push for that immediate ceasefire, the unconditional
release by Hamas of all hostages and a transformation in the
delivery of aid, we are working intensely on the conditions for a
lasting peace and the foundations of a two-state solution.”
The UK continues to fund vital life-saving aid for Gaza, with a
recent announcement of an additional £15 million for medical care
and aid bringing the UK's humanitarian funding commitment for the
Occupied Palestinian Territories to £75m this financial year.
This includes funding for United Nations Population Fund to
provide support for pregnant women and girls and support for UK
Med's field hospitals in Gaza. Later this month, critically ill
Gazan children are expected to arrive in the UK for specialist
treatment.
Alongside the framework for peace, the UK will set out its
commitment to the viability of the two-state solution, including
the intention to recognise Palestinian statehood in coordination
with other international partners.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary will use meetings to
thank the UK's allies in the Gulf for their work in seeking to
end the conflict in Gaza. The United Arab Emirates has delivered
vital humanitarian aid to Gaza, including in partnership with the
UK. Qatar continues to seek a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and
the release of hostages, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides
vital security support alongside US and European counterparts
within the region.
While in the region, the Foreign Secretary will hold talks on
strengthening UK-Gulf trade ties, helping boost a trade
relationship already worth more than £57 billion and bringing
growth and investment opportunities to British people.
