First Minister has urged the UK Government to
use its position as a trusted ally of the Government of Israel to
demand an end to “indiscriminate attacks” that have seen
thousands of children in Gaza killed. He has made it clear that
those responsible for killing civilians must be held accountable.
Ten weeks since Israel’s invasion of Gaza the First Minister said
the UK Government’s refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire is
“shameful”.
The First Minister’s latest call comes as the United Nations has
expressed concern up to 1.9 million internally displaced people
are moving into smaller and smaller pockets in the Gaza Strip.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) for Palestinian Refugees
has warned that 40% of the population of Gaza is now at risk of
famine due to “catastrophic hunger”, and the latest Integrated
food security Phase Classification (IPC) brief shows Gaza is
experiencing a food security emergency driven by ongoing
hostilities.
Responding to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region,
the First Minister said diplomatic approaches have so far failed
to bring about any change and an immediate ceasefire was needed.
The First Minister said:
“The time has come for the UK Government to speak out forcefully
and make it clear that Israeli action has gone way beyond a
legitimate response to the appalling Hamas attack of 7
October.
“Hearing comments from an Israeli Government Minister urging
displacement of Palestinians from Gaza is deeply disturbing and
should be universally condemned. Gaza is Occupied Palestinian
Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state - Gazans
should not be subject to forcible displacement or relocation from
Gaza.
“The UK Government must make clear that Prime Minister Netanyahu,
Israeli Ministers and military commanders will be held
accountable for the killing of thousands of innocent civilians
and the deaths of tens of thousands more from starvation and
disease if Israel does not immediately cease indiscriminate
attacks and allow aid to enter Gaza on the scale needed to avert
a humanitarian disaster. Hamas leaders must also be held
accountable for the appalling attacks against Israeli
civilians on 7 October.
“Talk of a sustainable ceasefire from the UK Government has made
no difference on the ground, as the situation has worsened for
the people of Gaza. The UK Government must use its voice and
influence to stop the killing – directly with the Israeli
government, and indirectly with the US.”
Background
Integrated food security
Phase Classification (IPC) brief for November 2023 – February
2024 (published 21 December 2023).
UPDATED: Everyone is
hungry in Gaza, warn UN humanitarians | UN News
United Nations Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports 1.9 million
people are internally displaced in Gaza.
