I’d like to thank High Commissioner Volker Türk and Dr. Younes Al-Khatib for your sobering briefings.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Red Crescent medics and other humanitarians who were killed while bravely working to save lives in Gaza.
Their deaths are an outrage and we expect this incident to be investigated fully, transparently and for those responsible held to account.
Gaza remains the most dangerous place for humanitarians in the world.
If Israel does not respect deconfliction notifications from aid workers, to allow them to operate without coming under attack, there will be more appalling deaths like these ones. Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to help those in need.
So we urge Israel to cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission into the hit on a UN compound on 19 March, conduct thorough investigations into all incidents involving aid workers and medical personnel, and ensure accountability for those responsible.
President, I have three points to make.
First, the UK reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, including Avinatan Or, Yossi Sharabi and Shay Levinson, who have links to the UK. And we are clear Hamas must be held accountable for their despicable actions.
But the UK strongly opposes Israel’s decision to resume and expand its military operations in Gaza. Since operations restarted over 1000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including at least 322 children. And civilians are being compressed into ever-smaller areas.
Further fighting and bloodshed is in nobody’s interest and takes us further away from a deal to get the hostages home.
Second, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific and there is reportedly less than a week of food left for distribution in Gaza. We urge Israel to reinstate the flow of humanitarian aid immediately.
Blocking supplies and electricity from entering Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law.
The UK is deeply concerned that the UN and humanitarian organisations have been forced to reduce operations in Gaza because it is so unsafe. Without their life-saving work, even more Palestinians will suffer.
Third, the UK condemns remarks by Defence Minister Katz on the annexation of land in Gaza. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians or reduction in the territory of Gaza.
This would only further drive instability and undermine security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
And we condemn recent Israeli decisions to accelerate the establishment of settlements and outposts in the West Bank.
President, in conclusion, the lesson we have learnt time and again in this Council, is that diplomacy, not violence, is the only way to bring lasting peace.
We urge the parties to return to a ceasefire, to end appalling loss of life, bring the hostages home and make credible efforts towards a two-state solution.
