Thank you Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Dr Efron for your briefing.
And thank you, Mr Levy, for sharing your family’s story with us.
The suffering you and your family have been through is unimaginable.
Let me state at the outset that the UK stands with you, and with all those hostage families seeking desperately to bring their loved ones home. We reiterate our condemnation of the abhorrent Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and the kidnapping of over 250 hostages, including Emily Damari and three hostages with UK links. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Let me make three additional points.
First, the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. Over 45,000 Palestinians have died since 7 October. And the last two months were the worst for aid since October 2023.
The UN has reported a shocking increase in cases of acute malnutrition in children, and that Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world.
The UK continues to urge Israel to do much more to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to abide by their international obligations.
This includes facilitating rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid and basic services to the Palestinian people.
UNRWA plays a crucial role in delivering this life-saving aid.
On 11 December, my Prime Minister committed an additional $16.5 million to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the OPTs and the wider region, bringing the UK’s support to UNRWA to $52 million since April this year.
Second, President, northern Gaza must not be cut off from the south.
The UK is clear there must be no forcible transfer of Gazans from, or within, Gaza.
There must be no reduction of the territory of the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s expansion of military infrastructure and the destruction of civilian buildings and agricultural land across the Strip is unacceptable.
Third, the UK calls on Israel to stop settlement expansion on Palestinian land, which is illegal under international law, and to hold violent settlers to account.
Continued instability and settler violence in the West Bank should not be tolerated by Israel and the culture of impunity must end.
This does nothing to bring about peace and security for Palestinians or Israelis.
We also note the decision of the Government of Israel to extend correspondent banking relations for twelve months and continue to urge Israel to remove its restrictions on clearance revenues.
President, the fall of Assad and the ceasefire in Lebanon offer a moment of hope for the people of the region, as we look ahead to 2025.
We must now use this momentum to deliver a long sought after ceasefire, secure the immediate release of all hostages and put an end to the humanitarian crisis and suffering in Gaza.
