Israel’s Gaza aid freeze risks breaking international law, UK and allies warn
The UK, France and Germany have warned Israel it risks breaching international humanitarian law by preventing aid entering Gaza.
In a joint statement, David Lammy and his French and German counterparts said they had “deep concern” at Israel’s decision to stop goods and supplies from getting to Gaza.
They said humanitarian aid “should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool”.
Aid halted
Benjamin Netanyahu’s government halted aid entering Gaza on Sunday and warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas did not accept a US proposal for an extension of the first phase of the fragile ceasefire, which expired on Saturday.
In their joint statement, the UK, France and Germany said: “It is vital that the ceasefire is sustained, all the hostages are released, and continued flows of humanitarian aid to Gaza are ensured.
“We urge all parties to engage constructively in negotiating the subsequent phases of the deal to help ensure its full implementation and a permanent end to hostilities. We welcome Egyptian, Qatari and US efforts in mediating and seeking to agree an extension to the ceasefire.”
“Catastrophic”
But, they said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. We express our deep concern at the government of Israel’s announcement on March 2 to halt all entry of goods and supplies into Gaza.”
The ministers said “a halt on goods and supplies entering Gaza, such as that announced by the government of Israel would risk violating international humanitarian law”.
“Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool,” the statement said.
“We re-iterate that the civilians of Gaza who have suffered so much must be allowed to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.
They called for the unconditional release of hostages by Hamas and urged “all parties to uphold the ceasefire and ensure it leads to a sustainable peace”.
That would mean “the reconstruction of Gaza, and to allow for a credible pathway towards a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace”.
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Israel are trying to change the agreed plan, they have stopped allowing relief to enter Gaza, US senators are calling for the destruction of the backed up aid, Israel on average killed 42 Palestinian children every day last year and the UK, France and Germany are concerned that Israel MIGHT risk breaking international law. It’s time the LFI and CFI were banned from operating in the UK, We are complicit in genocide.
If Isreal block aid to Gaza we should block arms to Isreal. Or would that be considered antisemitic?