UK condemns Israeli aid system as ‘inhumane and dangerous' at UN debate on Gaza

Arab News

6 days ago

NEW YORK: The UK sharply criticized Israel's humanitarian conduct in Gaza during a high-level UN Security Council debate on the Middle East peace process on Wednesday, describing the Israeli aid system as 'inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fueling instability.'
Speaking at the council's open debate, UK Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, saying that the suffering of Palestinian civilians and the continued holding of hostages by Hamas since Oct. 7 'must end now.'
She said: 'The IDF is shooting at desperate Palestinian civilians on an almost daily basis. Hamas is exploiting this disorder.'
She called on Israel to stop such attacks, hold perpetrators accountable and work with the UN to implement a more effective aid delivery system that complies with international humanitarian law. Woodward reaffirmed the UK's support for the UN's humanitarian coordination office and condemned recent strikes on the World Health Organization in Deir Al-Balah.
The ambassador also condemned Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's proposals to forcibly displace Palestinians to Rafah and criticized the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, calling it a 'flagrant breach of international law' and 'an accelerating campaign to prevent a Palestinian state.'
While insisting Hamas must not govern Gaza or threaten Israel's security in the future, Woodward warned that actions by the Israeli government were undermining the only viable alternative — the Palestinian Authority. She pointed to Israel's withholding of $2.6 billion in tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority, which she said is crippling essential services and weakening Palestinian institutions.
'This is not conducive to Israel's long-term security,' she added.
Woodward reiterated the UK's commitment to a two-state solution and warned that London is prepared to take 'further action' to stop what it sees as the erosion of prospects for peace.
She noted that a high-level conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia next week will be a key opportunity to advance international support for a peaceful resolution.