Many constituents have been contacting me about the appalling situation in Gaza.

The UK recently convened a meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the intolerable civilian suffering and humanitarian crisis. Israel’s denial of aid is unacceptable. Food is currently waiting at the Gaza-Israel border, blocked from reaching people who are starving. Israeli Ministers have said Israel’s decision to block this aid is a pressure lever. This is cruel and indefensible. The killing of yet more Palestinians in Israeli strikes must end.

The British government is clear that Israel must stop and change course immediately. With our allies, UK Ministers are telling the Israeli Government to lift the block on aid entering Gaza to enable the UN and humanitarians to save lives now. We need an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid must not be used as a political tool or military tactic. Britain cannot support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk.

The International Court of Justice case on genocide is ongoing. I support the ICJ and its independence and the provisional measures it has issued, and Israel has an obligation to implement them. It is the UK Government’s longstanding position that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent court, not for Governments or non-judicial bodies. The UK is fully committed to upholding its responsibilities under domestic and international law and we have at all times acted in a manner consistent with our legal obligations, including under the Genocide Convention.

This devastating conflict must end. The Government’s focus is on lifting Israeli restrictions on aid, freeing the hostages, protecting civilians and restoring the ceasefire, and the UK Government is working urgently with allies and partners on further pressure to make Israel change course.

Thank you for writing about this critical issue.

Best wishes

Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland