We welcome this opportunity to discuss the evolving situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
First, I’ll address recent developments in Gaza.
This week saw more bloodshed return to the Gaza strip.
It is appalling that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed following Israeli strikes since 18 March.
We strongly oppose Israel’s resumption of hostilities.
Escalation and endless violence is in nobody’s interests.
We are outraged that a UN compound in Gaza was hit on Wednesday morning.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
There must be a full investigation into what happened.
We urge all parties to return to dialogue and to implement the ceasefire agreement in full.
This must include the return of the 59 hostages who have been cruelly held by Hamas for over 500 days.
As we said in the Council yesterday, Hamas must be held accountable for their depraved actions.
We also call on Israel to immediately restore humanitarian access and electricity to Gaza.
Refusing to do so risks breaching international humanitarian law.
Second, President, we must look to the future and redouble our efforts to secure long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
This means a credible plan to allow Palestinians in Gaza to return home and rebuild their lives, with Hamas removed from power.
To be clear, we oppose any attempt to forcibly annex land in Gaza.
We welcome the Arab initiative of a recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza and we urge all parties to engage constructively with it.
Sustainable peace also means addressing worrying developments in the West Bank.
We are seriously concerned by the scale of the Israeli miliary operation in the West Bank and the displacement of nearly 40,000 Palestinian refugees.
We recognise Israel’s right to self defence, but civilians must be protected, and Israel must ensure its operations are proportionate to the threat posed.
Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Violent settlers must be held to account.
The UK has introduced three rounds of sanctions on violent settlers and their supporters to bring accountability for abuses of human rights, in the absence of sufficient Israeli action.
We will consider all further options.
Reports of the killing of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, including children, are abhorrent.
The IDF must take all precautions to prevent civilian deaths, and must investigate civilian deaths thoroughly and demonstrate full accountability to the law.
The level of restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank are crippling.
These only fuel further instability.
It is important, especially during the month of Ramadan, that religious freedoms are respected.
Restrictive visa and registration processes are also deeply concerning.
Israel must ensure the UN, including UNRWA, can provide essential humanitarian and service delivery in a safe and secure environment.
President, seventeen months on from the dreadful attacks of 7 October, we urge all parties to implement the ceasefire agreement in full and to work towards a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State.
This is the best way to deliver a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
