UK joins 25 international allies demanding ‘immediate, unconditional, permanent Gaza ceasefire’
Statement signed by David Lammy and 25 other foreign ministers warns 'suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths'
David Lammy has joined with 25 other foreign ministers to issue a statement calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza.
“We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,” reads the statement issued on Monday.
“Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to achieve this.”
In their “Joint statement on the Occupied Palestinian Territories” the UK, along with foreign ministers of countries including France, Australia, Japan, Poland and Spain, warn the “suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.”
They describe Israel’s humanitarean aid deliverary system in the region as “dangerous” and one which “fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. ”
“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,” the statement adds.
“It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Turning its focus to the plight of the hostages still held by Gamas, the 26 international partners add:”The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly.
“We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release. A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.”
The group also call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to “urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life saving work safely and effectively.”
“We call on all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law,” they add.
“Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a ‘humanitarian city’ are completely unacceptable.
“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.”
The statement also expressing opposition ” towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories” citing the E1 settlement plan announced by Israel’s Civil Administration.
It adds that “if implemented, (it) would divide a Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution.
“Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank including East Jerusalem has accelerated while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop.”
It ends by warning:”We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”
The statement is signed by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
It is also backed by the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
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