The Foreign Secretary has expressed “outrage” at the Israeli government’s alleged obstruction of sufficient aid deliveries into Gaza, coinciding with an announcement of an additional £15 million in funding for medical assistance in the region.
Addressing the House of Commons, David Lammy referenced a recent declaration from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a leading hunger monitor, which stated that Gaza is experiencing a “man-made famine”.
Mr. Lammy also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating the transfer of critically injured Gazan children to the UK for specialized NHS treatment, with the first patients expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The Israeli government has disputed the IPC report, deeming it “deeply flawed” and calling for its retraction.
Furthermore, Mr. Lammy reiterated the UK’s commitment to pursuing “full recognition” of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month, contingent upon a breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel argued that recognizing a Palestinian state “should not happen” while hostages remain in the custody of Hamas, some of whom have been held for close to 700 days.
In his statement on Monday, Mr. Lammy called for a “massive, massive humanitarian response” to avert further loss of life, emphasizing the need for unimpeded access for NGOs, humanitarian organizations, and health workers to distribute aid stockpiles on Gaza’s borders.
Mr. Lammy’s comments to the Commons echoed his previous response to the IPC’s famine declaration last month, which he characterized as a “moral outrage”.
The UN and various aid organizations have consistently reported significant challenges and obstructions in their efforts to collect and distribute humanitarian aid within Gaza.
According to the IPC’s report last month, approximately half a million people, representing a quarter of the Palestinian population in Gaza, are currently facing famine conditions.
The report also indicated a rapid escalation of starvation in Gaza City, with famine conditions projected to extend throughout the enclave by September.
The Israeli government has repeatedly denied the existence of starvation in Gaza, attributing any instances of hunger to the actions of aid agencies and Hamas.
The additional £15 million in aid announced by Mr. Lammy will be channeled through the medical aid charity UK-Med and the World Health Organization Egypt.
Mr. Lammy stated, “We continue to collaborate with regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and NGOs to ensure aid reaches those most in need.”
Regarding the evacuation of injured children, Mr. Lammy clarified, “It relies entirely on Israeli permissions, and I’m pressing the Israeli government for this to happen as quickly as possible.”
While some Gazan children have been privately transported to the UK for medical treatment through an initiative by Project Pure Hope, the government has yet to evacuate any children through its own scheme during the conflict.
Mr. Lammy also criticized the Israeli government’s continued approval of illegal settlements in the West Bank, asserting that it was “tightening its stranglehold on the Palestinian economy”.
The International Court of Justice, the UN’s principal judicial organ, has declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories to be against international law.
The Israeli government has consistently maintained that the settlements are not in violation of international law.
Recently, Israel approved the construction of an illegal settlement in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, a move that would effectively sever the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem, dividing the territory.
David Lammy voiced his opposition to this development, stating that the approval of illegal settlements in east Jerusalem “moved the dial” even closer towards the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
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