Minister Issues Statement On Gaza Crisis

With your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the Middle East.

Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Security Cabinet has approved a plan to expand and intensify Israel's military operations in Gaza.

He said that the Israeli Defence Force operations will extend across more of Gaza. Tactics will no longer involve short raids - with the implication that Israel will hold the ground it takes. Reports suggest that the plans could include full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Gaza's population will be moved 'for its protection'. Tens of thousands of reservists are being called up. In parallel, the Security Cabinet reportedly approved a plan to deliver aid through private companies.

This comes at a time, Madam Deputy Speaker, when the scale of civilian suffering and humanitarian need is already intolerable. More than 52,000 people have now been killed in Gaza. Israel has fully blocked the entry of humanitarian aid for over two months. The World Food Programme says their food stockpile has been exhausted.

These announcements from the Israeli government have rightly sparked grave concern that this conflict, which has already wrought so much bloodshed and suffering, may enter a dangerous new phase.

I know that concern will be felt right across the House.

Let me make the Government's position crystal clear.

We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's operations.

Any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable.

Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.

We want this war to end.

We want an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the urgent provision of humanitarian aid and a pathway to a political solution.

Madam Deputy Speaker,

All of us recognise that Hamas continues to hold hostages in the cruellest fashion.

Their actions show the complete disregard for the interests of the Palestinian people.

Hamas must not divert aid for their own financial gain or use civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

We repeat our demand for the immediate release of the hostages.

But an expansion of this conflict is not the route to achieve their safe return.

That is why it is strongly opposed by so many hostage families themselves.

It is negotiations which offer the best hope of ending the agony of those waiting for loved ones held captive, alleviating the suffering of civilians, and ending Hamas' control of Gaza.

It is evident that Hamas cannot be defeated through military means alone.

And an expansion of military operations will result in the deaths of more innocent civilians, and put the hostages at yet greater risk.

The fighting must stop.

The Government has said since day one in office that the only way to ensure a path towards long-term peace and stability is an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, better protection of civilians, and significantly more aid entering Gaza.

Diplomacy is how we ensure security for Israelis and Palestinians - not more bloodshed.

All the people of this region deserve to live in peace, prosperity and security.

We urge all parties to return urgently to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full and work towards a permanent peace.

We continue to use our full diplomatic weight to bring about a ceasefire and end the suffering.

After more than two months of aid into Gaza being blocked, Palestinians continue to face immense suffering.

Essential supplies of food and medicine are either no longer available or quickly running out.

As the UN has said, it is hard to see how, if implemented, the new Israeli plan to deliver aid through private companies would be consistent with humanitarian principles and meet the scale of the need. We need urgent clarity from the Israeli government on their intentions.

We must remember what is at stake. These humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world. They should be applied consistently in every warzone.

As we have said repeatedly, humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool and Israel is bound under international law to allow the unhindered passage of humanitarian aid.

I repeat my call for Israel to engage with partners to allow for a rapid and unhindered resurgence in the flow of aid into Gaza.

We reiterate our outrage at recent strikes by Israeli forces on humanitarian workers, on infrastructure, and healthcare facilities. Israel must do far more to protect the civilian population and humanitarian workers, and hold to account those who are responsible.

Over a year since the appalling attack on the World Central Kitchen in which three British nationals were tragically killed, we continue to press for a conclusion to the Israeli investigation and a decision as to whether criminal proceedings will be brought.

The UN and humanitarian partners must be able to carry out their work in safety, in accordance with their principles.

Madam Deputy Speaker,

Last week we welcomed Prime Minister Mustafa of the Palestinian Authority to the United Kingdom. We signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding and confirmed a £101m package of support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We will continue to support the Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including in Gaza.

During the visit we reaffirmed the UK's commitment to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a two-state solution.

It is only a political horizon towards a two-state solution that can ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

I commend this statement to the House.