UK explanation of vote delivered by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, following the UN Security Council vote
on the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
The UK voted in favour of this resolution today to demand urgent
action to address the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza,
to bring the hostages home and end the conflict which has raged
for almost two years.
Since Hamas' atrocities of October 7, hostages have been held in
unimaginable conditions in Gaza.
This Council has been consistent in its demand for the
release of the hostages in each of its four resolutions, and
today's text underlined this demand again.
The images of emaciated hostages held in brutal conditions speaks
to the brutality of Hamas. They need to allow the ICRC to see the
hostages and care for their needs.
We reiterate our condemnation of Hamas and its terrorist
ideology.
Hamas must have no role in the future of Gaza.
Last week, the UN General Assembly delivered a resounding message
in support of this, with 142 countries voting to condemn Hamas'
attacks, and to demand they disarm and end their rule in
Gaza.
We need a ceasefire more than ever.
And yet Israel's reckless expansion of its military operation
takes us further away from a deal which could bring the hostages
home and end the suffering in Gaza.
We are witnessing an entirely man-made famine in Gaza, and images
of starving Palestinians killed, while desperately seeking scraps
of food for their families.
And this week, Israel struck Gaza City children's hospital.
Newborn babies in incubators and children on dialysis should not
be under bombardment.
We urge Israel's government to end the bloodshed, which has
already cost the lives of 65,000 Palestinians and to immediately
lift its restrictions on the entry of aid and allow the UN and
humanitarian agencies to save lives.
The UK thanks the E10 for drafting and consulting on today's
resolution.
We regret the Council was unable to reach consensus on today's
resolution, but we remain committed to the vision of this
text.
We will continue to do all we can to end this conflict, bring the
hostages home and work with our partners on a pathway to peace,
to achieve a secure Israel alongside an independent Palestinian
State.
