The UK voted in favour of this resolution today to demand urgent action to address the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza, to bring the hostages home and end the conflict which has raged for almost two years.
Since Hamas’ atrocities of October 7, hostages have been held in unimaginable conditions in Gaza.
This Council has been consistent in its demand for the release of the hostages in each of its four resolutions, and today’s text underlined this demand again.
The images of emaciated hostages held in brutal conditions speaks to the brutality of Hamas. They need to allow the ICRC to see the hostages and care for their needs.
We reiterate our condemnation of Hamas and its terrorist ideology.
Hamas must have no role in the future of Gaza.
Last week, the UN General Assembly delivered a resounding message in support of this, with 142 countries voting to condemn Hamas’ attacks, and to demand they disarm and end their rule in Gaza.
We need a ceasefire more than ever.
And yet Israel’s reckless expansion of its military operation takes us further away from a deal which could bring the hostages home and end the suffering in Gaza.
We are witnessing an entirely man-made famine in Gaza, and images of starving Palestinians killed, while desperately seeking scraps of food for their families.
And this week, Israel struck Gaza City children’s hospital. Newborn babies in incubators and children on dialysis should not be under bombardment.
We urge Israel’s government to end the bloodshed, which has already cost the lives of 65,000 Palestinians and to immediately lift its restrictions on the entry of aid and allow the UN and humanitarian agencies to save lives.
The UK thanks the E10 for drafting and consulting on today’s resolution.
We regret the Council was unable to reach consensus on today’s resolution, but we remain committed to the vision of this text.
We will continue to do all we can to end this conflict, bring the hostages home and work with our partners on a pathway to peace, to achieve a secure Israel alongside an independent Palestinian State.
