Statement by Ambassador at the UN Security Council
meeting on Gaza.
Colleagues, these are dark days. The horror of the 7
October attacks hangs over us – including the shocking reports of
sexual violence by Hamas against Israeli women and girls. And the
terrible and heart-wrenching suffering of innocent Palestinians,
including many women and young children, is a humanitarian
tragedy unfolding before our eyes.
The Secretary-General, who has our strong support, set out
clearly the trajectory towards humanitarian catastrophe facing
Palestinians in Gaza. We need to respond, and to respond with
urgency. The sheer scale of civilians killed is shockin and
the fact that 80% of the population has been displaced in Gaza
cannot continue.
The UK continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself
against Hamas terrorism as it seeks the return of over 100
hostages who are still held in Gaza. But we are absolutely clear
that Israel must be targeted and precise in achieving that goal.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of the UK have delivered
this message, and will continue to do so. Civilians must be
protected.
In parallel, we need a marked increase in the provision of
sustainable and unhindered delivery of life-saving aid and
essential services to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe from
taking place. This includes increasing the types of aid
allowed. The sanitation and shelter picture, together with the
lack of medical provision, in Gaza is dire and there is a
desperate need for sanitation and shelter kits, and vital
medicines.
It is welcome that Kerem Shalom will now be open for the
screening of aid deliveries. We urge Israel to go further and to
fully open Kerem Shalom to allow goods to cross, so that the huge
volumes of aid that are needed can reach the people of Gaza. This
should include at minimum the 200,000 litres of fuel per day for
which the UN has called.
It is imperative that we work to agree further urgently needed
humanitarian pauses, building on the pivotal work of Egypt,
Qatar, and the United States. President, as we work to halt
the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, we need to also work to
avoid escalation in the West Bank, including in occupied East
Jerusalem.
Israel’s announcement approving further settlements in the Lower
Aqueduct area of East Jerusalem is alarming and serves only to
raise the tensions in the West Bank when international effort is
focusing on avoiding further conflict.
Let me be clear: settlements are illegal under international law,
present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability
and delivery of a two-state solution. This decision must be
reversed with immediate effect. President, let us work together
to deliver peace, dignity, and security for Israelis and
Palestinians alike.
