PRESS RELEASE : The worst case scenario is now playing out in northern Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2024.

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Colleagues, Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 43,000 Palestinians killed, hospitals and roads destroyed and winter approaching.

We must see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

Ending the war is the best way to stop the suffering.

The humanitarian situation is intolerable and we need to act immediately to improve it. Aid deliveries last month were the lowest since the conflict began. And now, imminent famine looms over northern Gaza – while food and other lifesaving supplies are stuck at the border.

This is appalling.

It is completely unacceptable that trucks, humanitarian workers and medics, funded by the international community, are unable to travel the last few miles to reach civilians.

The Famine Review Committee has issued a shocking and urgent warning – one which Israel must heed, and act on today.

As the Committee put it, it is abundantly clear that a worst case scenario is now playing out in areas of northern Gaza, where starvation, malnutrition and deaths are believed to be rising fast.

Colleagues, time has run out, and urgent solutions are required now, to prevent the very worst from unfolding.

There is no excuse for the Israeli government’s ongoing restrictions on humanitarian assistance. They fly in the face of Israel’s public commitments. So let me be clear: my government condemns these restrictions in the strongest terms.

So, we are calling on Israel to finally, and immediately, make good on its commitment to flood Gaza with aid.

We want to see greater variety and quantity of essential items surging in, including food, water, fuel and medicine.

Israel must urgently enable safe and effective aid distribution. This includes repairing roads to deliver aid, and enabling continuous access to northern Gaza from southern Gaza.

Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Evacuation orders should be rescinded as soon as possible so families can return home.

And humanitarians must be able to work safely and effectively.

The United Nations and its agencies must be able to fulfil their mandate.

UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and provides essential basic services.

The international community has been clear that Israel must not undermine its role and must meet all legal obligations as the Occupying Power.

Colleagues, we cannot allow famine to take hold – there is no time to waste. The international community must now act as one, and work with Israel to take every possible measure to prevent this disaster.