Israel and Hamas must agree a deal urgently: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and multilateralism, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
President, let me start by underscoring a very clear message from my government. We need an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza now. And we need an immediate ceasefire across the Lebanon/Israel border now.
We are on the brink of a much larger regional war, which risks even more devastation and suffering. Unfortunately, as we have seen both on the ground today with further strikes in Beirut and as we have heard from speeches in the General Assembly hall, the escalation continues.
We urge Israel and Hizballah to heed the calls of the UK and our partners to immediately agree a 21-day ceasefire. Calm heads must prevail to end this cycle of violence.
President, today’s meeting was called to focus on the dire situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Almost one year into the conflict, 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians lack access to clean water and sanitation, facing the threat of disease and famine.
And 101 hostages are still held by Hamas in horrific conditions, as Israel and its people continue to reckon with the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack in its history.
It is clear that there can be no military solution to this conflict. Israel and Hamas must agree a deal urgently.
In the meantime, Israel must fulfil its commitment to flood Gaza with humanitarian aid. Sadly this has not yet materialised.
Ahead of a winter, Israel must ensure that the right supplies and equipment can enter Gaza to protect vulnerable families.
And it must ensure it complies with its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
Only last week over 200 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and many continue to live under a relentless barrage of attacks, unsafe in the shelters where they seek refuge.
The UK is also deeply concerned by the situation in the occupied West Bank. We call on Israel to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.
The closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Ramallah by the IDF is contrary to the democratic principles that Israel is rightly proud of. Media freedom and security of journalists must be respected.
President, without a revitalised political process towards a two-state solution we will not achieve a sustainable peace. We need galvanised international efforts to this end, and to realise a safe and secure Israel, alongside a safe and secure Palestinian state.
This must include the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in line with 1967 borders and under the effective control of the Palestinian Authority.
President, planning for Gaza’s future must also put Palestinians at the centre of governance, security, recovery and reconstruction efforts. This is the only way to deliver a lasting stability.
Together, we must stop the region slipping into a deeper crisis and pull it back on the path towards a peaceful future.