Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Gaza.
A tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians in Gaza are experiencing a humanitarian disaster. My thoughts are with all those affected.
Israel has the right to defend itself, and has the right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. However, the UK has been consistently clear that in doing so it must abide by international humanitarian law; Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful coexistence with Palestinians. Too many civilians have been killed, and the Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives.
Nobody wants to see this conflict last a moment longer than necessary, and I welcome that the UK Government is supporting a sustainable ceasefire. This means that Hamas must stop launching rockets into Israel, lay down its arms and release all the hostages.
The suffering that civilians in Gaza are experiencing is unbearable to witness, and it is imperative that more aid reaches them. During his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Foreign Secretary announced £30 million to support trusted partners, including UN agencies on the ground, to deliver lifesaving aid to people in Gaza. It brings to £60 million the additional aid announced by the UK for Palestinian civilians since the crisis started in October.
Funding alone is not enough though, and work is ongoing to increase the flow of aid into Gaza; while the opening of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings are major developments, the UK is calling for unhindered deliveries into Gaza directly via as many crossing points as possible.
The UK Government firmly supported the pause in hostilities which took place between 24 November and 1 December, and is pushing the diplomatic effort to agree further pauses to get more aid in and more hostages out of Gaza.
Looking to the long-term, the UK Government continues to work towards a two-state solution to ensure that this crisis never recurs, and I am following developments closely.
I appreciate concerns regarding Article 54 of the 1977 Protocol Additional to the Geneva conventions, which refers to the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. The terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas are heinous and unprecedented, and I support Israel’s right to defend itself proportionately as guaranteed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The UK recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, and has made it absolutely clear to the Israeli Government that its military operations must be conducted in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected. Too many civilians have been killed, and I know that both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have emphasised the importance of taking all possible measures to protect innocent civilians in their discussions with their Israeli counterparts.
I am proud that the UK has a strong track record of supporting international humanitarian law, and calls on friends and partners overseas to do the same.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards,
Graham