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Foreign ministers

UK Steps Up Criticism of Israel's Gaza Campaign

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

David Lammy, the UK's Foreign Secretary, has attacked Israel's 11-week humanitarian aid blockade of Gaza as "indefensible", "abominable", and "egregious". He also condemned Israel's new ground offensive in Gaza as "monstrous", prompting shouts of "genocide" from some MPs. The UK has suspended talks about a trade deal with Israel in protest at the country's actions, with Mr Lammy summoning Israel's ambassador to the Foreign Office.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK has suspended talks about a trade deal with Israel due to its actions in Gaza, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemning the humanitarian aid blockade as "indefensible" and "abominable".
  • Israeli authorities have committed to allowing a "minimal, basic bridge" of aid to be let into Gaza, with around 100 aid lorries entering the territory in recent days.
  • The United Nations' humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach the Strip.
  • Israel has pledged to take "full control" of Gaza in a bid to eradicate the Hamas terror group responsible for the terrorist atrocities of October 7, 2023.
  • Extensive ground operations in recent days, codenamed Operation Gideon's Chariots, have struck more than 670 Hamas targets, according to Israeli sources.
  • The Foreign Secretary also suggested the policies being pursued by the Netanyahu government following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement were "damaging the image of the state of Israel in the eyes of the world".
  • The UK has sanctioned three leaders of the Israeli settler community in the West Bank, including Daniella Weiss, known as the 'godmother' of the settler movement.
  • The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas has also stepped up pressure on Israel, ordering a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, a free trade deal.

Statistics:

  • 11 weeks: duration of Israel's humanitarian aid blockade of Gaza
  • 100: number of aid lorries allowed into Gaza in recent days
  • 670: number of Hamas targets struck in recent days in Operation Gideon's Chariots
  • 14,000: number of babies in Gaza who could die in the next 48 hours if aid does not reach the Strip
  • 2023: year in which Hamas carried out the terrorist atrocities that led to the current crisis in Gaza

Sources:

  • "Israel's humanitarian aid blockade of Gaza is 'indefensible', 'abominable' and 'egregious': UK Foreign Secretary." - THE, [Date Not Available]
  • "UK suspends trade talks with Israel over Gaza crisis." - THE, [Date Not Available]
  • "European Union orders review of Israel association agreement." - [Date Not Available]
  • "Tom Fletcher, UN humanitarian chief, warns of 'dire consequences' if aid does not reach Gaza." - [Date Not Available]
  • "Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges to take 'full control' of Gaza." - [Date Not Available]

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