Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool
Mike Hedges – MS for Swansea East
Since October 2023, following the attacks by Hamas, Israel has imposed sustained blockades on Gaza.
Initially, Israel’s blockades cut off all food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity before restrictions were partially eased to allow limited aid to enter Gaza.
Israel continued to impose severe restrictions throughout 2024 but eased restrictions during the short-lived ceasefire earlier this year.
However, following the breakdown of the ceasefire, a complete ban on humanitarian aid supplies entering Gaza was reinstated in March 2025.
Famine
The blockade has created famine conditions exacerbated by airstrikes on food infrastructure, with aid organisations reporting that markets are empty, and children are malnourished.
Children in Gaza need aid desperately today. The lack of humanitarian aid reaching children in Gaza is unacceptable.
Without any deliveries of external supplies, charities are now working with local partners to rely, wherever possible, on the limited goods that are available from local markets and provide vital cash assistance and support.
Their medical staff are also supporting as many people as they can, even with medicine supplies running critically low.
Their job will only become harder in the days and weeks ahead without access to more aid.
Conflict
This is already the longest period that aid has not been allowed into Gaza since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
The UN has described it as “the worst humanitarian situation” since the crisis began.
I strongly support the Welsh Government’s call for a lift on the aid blockade in Gaza.
Humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool, and I join the UK Government in calling for Israel to respect international law and allow the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza.
All parties need to re-engage in ceasefire negotiations to get the hostages out and to secure a permanent end to the conflict, leading to a two-state solution and a lasting peace which will end the suffering of those affected by this conflict.
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.
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When will POTUS boost any credibility he might have on the World stage by having a very serious word with Netanyahu about the blocking of Internatiioal humanitarian aid to the peoplw of Gaza? Now that Netanyahu is increasing his bombing campaign and even saying that the release of the remaining hostages will NOT stop the further murder and destruction of those living in Gaza!! No one can support the action of Hamass when they crossed the border and commited those horrific acts but the response has not been proportunal in any way..If Israel believe their actions to be lawful why… Read more »
This ‘POTUS’ is uniquely uninterested in boosting his credibility on the world stage. His view appears to be that, having been elevated to rule the world’s currently most wealthy and powerful nation, the role of the world is merely to acknowledge his authority and acquiesce to his notions. He’s most accurately viewed as an old-style despot – or, to take more contemporary parallels, a ‘new world’ version of presidents Putin and Xi.
I don’t disagree with any of this but it ignores the fundamental reality. The actions of Hamas proved that Israel can never be safe under the current arrangement. In the absence of any realistic alternative arrangement the only way they can guarantee their security (which is the primary job of any government) is to control the entire territory. Rather than wringing its hands the international community should be working at pace to develop alternative proposals that would let Israelis and Palestinians live peacefully side by side in the region. I don’t hear anyone try to have that conversation which means… Read more »
Trump is in the middle east, but fails to halt ANY further bombings and ensuring all Intetnational Humanitarian Aid is resumed as a matter of urgency.
Shameful.
His priorities are…..?
Certainly not peace in the region!!!!