Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “intolerable” and “unacceptable”, as international calls mount for Israel to fully restore aid access and end the blockade.
Speaking in London following a UK-EU summit, Sir Keir said Britain was working closely with international partners to address the worsening situation. “It is a really serious, unacceptable, intolerable situation, and that’s why we are working intensely to co-ordinate with other leaders how we respond to this,” he told reporters. “We will continue to work in that way.”
The remarks come amid growing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who acknowledged in a social media video that Israel’s “greatest friends in the world” had urged action. “We cannot accept images of hunger, mass hunger,” Mr Netanyahu quoted his allies as saying. “We will not be able to support you.”
While Israel has said it will allow a “basic” amount of aid into Gaza to avoid a full-blown hunger crisis, many argue the steps taken so far are inadequate. The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was forthright, calling on Israel to lift its blockade. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable. For two months now, no humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza,” she said. “Aid must reach civilians in need immediately. The blockade needs to be lifted now, because humanitarian aid must never be politicised.”
Von der Leyen also repeated calls for a renewed ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages, stating that a two-state solution remained the only long-term resolution to the conflict. She added that the European Commission would provide financial support to the Palestinian Authority to help stabilise the region.
Despite Israel’s promises, the humanitarian crisis on the ground shows little sign of improvement. UN humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher, a former British diplomat, described the aid being allowed through as nowhere near enough. “Nine aid trucks were cleared to enter, but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed,” he said. Fletcher also warned that, with ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risk of looting and further insecurity remains high.
On the ground, the situation has continued to deteriorate. Israeli forces have launched further air and ground operations throughout Gaza and have ordered evacuations from Khan Younis, the territory’s second-largest city. Mr Netanyahu reiterated that Israel intends to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, and that it plans to introduce a new aid distribution system that will, according to him, “prevent the involvement of Hamas.”
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Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has joined 21 other international counterparts and senior EU officials in a strongly-worded joint statement. Countries including France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand backed the declaration, which demands the immediate and full resumption of aid access into Gaza.
“As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the government of Israel,” the statement read. “Allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately, and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering, and maintain dignity.”
The group also called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages and to refrain from interfering with aid distribution efforts.
While diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground remains bleak. With aid trickling in at a fraction of what is needed and military operations ongoing, humanitarian organisations have warned of a growing catastrophe unless immediate, coordinated international action is taken.
