The level of suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Nearly half a million Palestinians are now facing starvation, and humanitarian agencies have warned they are unable to meet urgent needs due to continued restrictions imposed by Israel. Aid must be allowed to flow freely and immediately.
The UK Labour Government is clear: Israel’s ongoing denial of essential humanitarian aid is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law. As we have repeatedly stated, aid must never be politicised, and humanitarian principles must be respected in every conflict.
For over two months, Israel blocked aid from entering Gaza. While there are now signs of a limited resumption, food, medicines, and other basic supplies have been exhausted.
That is why the UK Labour Government has announced a further £4 million in humanitarian support for Gaza. This funding will help provide essential medicines and medical supplies for up to 32,000 people, safe drinking water for up to 60,000 people, and food parcels for up to 14,000 people.
The Government has also taken significant diplomatic steps. Last week, we summoned the Israeli Ambassador to the Foreign Office to convey the message that the actions of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government are indefensible. We have also announced the suspension of negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.
In response to the continued and escalating settler violence in the West Bank, we have placed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in these extremist settler movements, including financial restrictions, travel bans and director disqualifications targeting three individuals, two illegal outposts and two organisations.
We are not acting alone. The UK is working in close partnership with international allies to respond to this crisis. Last week, we joined 26 other countries and EU representatives in issuing a joint statement calling for the immediate and full resumption of aid and for Israel to enable humanitarian organisations to operate independently and impartially.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, we have been clear: we will not act as bystanders while this situation further deteriorates.
The suffering must end. The ceasefire in January, although fragile, showed that an end to the suffering is possible. As we have consistently done so, we again urge the Israeli government to take that path towards peace, and we repeat our calls on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.
We are equally clear that Hamas cannot be allowed to govern Gaza.This Labour Government is committed to restoring stability to the region. That is why the UK has restored funding to UNRWA, suspended 30 arms export licences to Israel following our review into compliance with international law, and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority to strengthen UK-Palestinian relations.In total, the UK Labour Government has now delivered over £129 million in humanitarian aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including support for hospitals, children, sanitation and food.
We reiterate that a permanent ceasefire is essential. Israel will not achieve security by prolonging Palestinian suffering. Only through a political pathway, grounded in a two-state solution, can there be lasting peace, security and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Read my previous statements on Israel and Gaza here: