Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
the Middle East.
"We welcome the return of the hostages during Phase One, after an
appalling ordeal.
And we call for the release of all the remaining hostages,
including Avinatan Or, who also has links to the UK.
We mourn the death of Oded Lifshitz, who had strong links to the
UK, and we strongly condemn the vile killing of the Bibas family
and the lack of dignity provided to deceased hostages.
We support all work, all efforts to hold to account Hamas, the
PIJ and other terrorists who kidnapped so many innocents on
October 7th.
And I recall that this Council has called for the immediate and
unconditional release of all hostages in all four of our
resolutions since October 7th and I repeat that call today.
The ceasefire agreement reached on January 16th marked a crucial
first step towards ending the devastation and suffering in Gaza
and achieving a sustainable peace.
We are calling for three things.
First, Palestinian civilians should be able to return home and
rebuild their lives.
The people of Gaza have suffered unimaginable horrors, with over
46,000 people killed, and homes and lives destroyed.
The UK supports regional efforts to cohere around a single plan
for the next phase and reconstruction in Gaza.
These plans should be Palestinian led with the PA front and
centre along with a strong role for civil society.
Second, we welcome the improvement in aid supplies since the
ceasefire agreement. But make no mistake, the humanitarian
situation remains dire.
We still need to see a sustained increase in the volume and types
of goods reaching civilians, especially shelter and medical
items.
There can be no backsliding on this.
We call for an urgent update to the “dual use list” to allow
essential supplies in, and for commercial deliveries to be
reinstated.
The ceasefire has demonstrated the central role of the UN and
humanitarian actors, including UNRWA.
However, the humanitarian space is tightening with ongoing visa
restrictions and legislative proposals impacting NGOs.
So we call on Israel to continue to work with the UN and partners
to ensure aid reaches people in need.
Third, the UK is seriously concerned at the expansion of Israel's
operations killing and displacing civilians in the West Bank.
We recognise Israel's right to defend itself, but it must show
restraint and ensure its conduct is proportionate.
Restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank are
excessive.
These fuel further instability and jeopardise the prospects for
long-term peace.
President, in conclusion, we urge all parties to sustain the
ceasefire deal, implement the agreement in full and support
efforts to move to phase two for the hostages and their families,
for Gazan civilians and for all the Israeli and Palestinian
people who deserve a peaceful and secure future on the basis of a
two-state solution."
