The attack on Israel on 7 October was a brutal and bloody attack and I join the UK Government in utterly condemning Hamas, standing resolutely with Israel in defending itself against terror. Israel has the right to take action against Hamas and recover the hostages taken. However, the UK has been consistently clear that in doing so it must respect international humanitarian law.
Nobody wants to see this conflict last a moment longer than necessary, and I welcome that the UK Government is supporting a sustainable ceasefire. For a ceasefire to be sustainable, the conditions need to be in place for it not to collapse within a few days. There must be a reduction in civilian casualties and I agree with the Government that we want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.
There is no perfect formula for peace. Clearly, however, leaving Hamas in power in Gaza would be a permanent roadblock to a two-state solution. A ceasefire would also not last if hostages are still being held. A sustainable ceasefire must mean that Hamas is no longer there, able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism. The sad reality is that Hamas have no interest in a ceasefire. They have no interest in resolution, have never attempted to engage in a two-state solution and have made every attempt to collapse the Oslo process.
The suffering that civilians in Gaza are experiencing is painful to witness, and it is important that aid reaches them. During a visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories last November, the Foreign Secretary announced £30 million to support trusted partners, including UN agencies on the ground, to deliver lifesaving aid to people in Gaza. It brings to £60 million the additional aid announced by the UK for Palestinian civilians since the crisis started in October. Work is also ongoing to increase the flow of aid into Gaza. The UK is doing everything it can to get more aid and open more crossings, and we played a leading role in securing the passage of UN Security Council resolution 2720, which made clear the urgent demand for expanded humanitarian access and made calls for the release of hostages.
The UK Government continues to work with its partners towards a two-state solution, which remains the only viable long-term solution.
