The awful scenes that continue to emerge from Israel, Gaza, and the rest of occupied Palestine has added to the decades of horror and despair that has unfolded there.
I am devastated by the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel, which this past week has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis.
I utterly abhor every single murder of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
The massacre of Israeli civilians by Hamas is a heinous crime, which I fully condemn. Hamas should immediately release all hostages.
The Palestinian civilians being killed now are not responsible for these atrocities.
2.2 million people – almost half of whom are children – are locked in one of the most densely populated areas on Earth, which has been described as an “open-air prison” by a United Nations expert.
Supplies of food, water, electricity and fuel, have been shut off putting Gaza on the brink of an unthinkable humanitarian catastrophe.
All leaders must act in line with international law. That means there must be humanitarian access to Gaza, and continued supplies of food, water, electricity and medicines.
Conservative MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs select committee Alicia Kearns MP has said that Israel has a “duty” to turn water & electricity supply back on in Gaza.
As the UN General Secretary says, preventing further Israeli and Palestinian civilian suffering must be the focus.
More violence is not the answer,
I echo the calls of the UN and the WHO for urgent action to deliver humanitarian access and support to and from Gaza.
The Govt must redouble efforts that lead us to a secure Israel and a viable Palestine.