UK Foreign Secretary Demands Israel Justify Lethal Aid Point Attacks Amid Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has condemned the Israeli government's lethal attacks on aid points in Gaza, calling for an end to the "slaughter" of civilians seeking humanitarian relief. The Guardian reports that at least 61 people were killed yesterday and 80 on Sunday near centres meant for aid, with the World Food Programme warning that 90,000 women and children face starvation.
The UK has pledged £60million in aid, but Amnesty International has called on the government to ban all arms sales to Israel, claiming that the current policy is "empty words" and that the government must show "backbone" by halting all exports. The criticism comes as desperate tales of hunger emerge from Al Shifa hospital, where patients claim there is no food available.
Key Takeaways:
- The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has condemned the Israeli government's lethal attacks on aid points in Gaza, calling for an end to the "slaughter" of civilians seeking humanitarian relief.
- At least 61 people were killed yesterday and 80 on Sunday near centres meant for aid, with the World Food Programme warning that 90,000 women and children face starvation.
- 28 international partners, including the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Spain, and Italy, have signed a joint statement urging Israel to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid.
- Amnesty International has called on the government to ban all arms sales to Israel, claiming that the current policy is "empty words" and that the government must show "backbone" by halting all exports.
- The UK has pledged £60million in aid to Gaza, but Amnesty International has criticized the move as inadequate, saying that the government must take more substantial action to address the humanitarian crisis.
- Patients at Al Shifa hospital claim that there is no food available in the hospital, with desperate tales of hunger emerging.
Statistics:
- At least 61 people were killed yesterday and 80 on Sunday near centres meant for aid in Gaza.
- 90,000 women and children face starvation in Gaza.
- £60million of UK aid has been pledged to Gaza.
- At least 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7 attacks.
- There are believed to be 20 of the 50 hostages still alive in Gaza.
- 86% of Gaza's population is now being packed into small areas, leaving around two million trapped in an area of around 20 square miles.
Sources:
- The Mirror
- The Guardian
- Amnesty International
- Al Shifa hospital
- Israeli Ministry of Defence