- Lammy urges ceasefire in Gaza
- Calls for hostages’ release, more aid
- UK pledges additional £5.5 million
On his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories as foreign secretary, David Lammy advocated for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“I’m here to push for a ceasefire,” he told me. “The loss of life over the previous few months has been horrific. “It has to stop.”
Mr Lammy also called for the release of all hostages in Gaza, as well as an increase in aid to the country.
The newly appointed minister met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Sunday.
He also met family members of hostages still being held in Gaza who have ties to the UK.
Sharon Sharabi, whose two brothers Elie and Yossi were kidnapped on October 7, said after the meeting that Mr Lammy promised to do all in his power to return the hostages. The UK government has pledged to participate in a process with all relevant parties.
In February, the Israeli military announced that Yossi Sharabi had been killed, most likely as a result of an IDF air attack. It is believed that his body remains in Gaza.
According to a statement released on X by the British Consulate in Jerusalem, Mr Lammy stated during his discussion with Mr Mustafa that the UK would fight for peace and stability.
According to the statement, they discussed the role of an effective Palestinian Authority in establishing peace, and Mr Lammy reaffirmed his support for Mr Mustafa’s government and reform programme.
On Monday morning, Mr Lammy met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Mr Lammy stated before the meeting that it is critical that we conduct war in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Of course, I will press Israeli authorities on the subject in the coming days.
The foreign secretary also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of British aid vehicles entering Gaza “after months and months of asking,” echoing charity agencies’ long-standing complaints about deliveries being stopped or delayed by rigorous inspections enforced by the Israeli military.
He described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “appalling” and announced that the UK would provide another £5.5 million to the medical charity UK-Med to support its work in the region.
Following the discussion, Mr Herzog stated that they addressed the ultimate goal of bringing the hostages home to their families.
The foreign secretary clarified that his government would continue to work and demand the release of all captives.
Mr Herzog stated that he introduced Mr Lammy to the family of Tamir Adar, who was killed on October 7 and whose body was transported into Gaza, as well as Yaffa, whose grandmother was held prisoner and later released as part of earlier agreements.
He said the links between the British and Israeli peoples remain as solid and robust as they are historic and influential, particularly in light of the challenges ahead.
The Labour Party has recently attracted criticism from some Muslim voters for its attitude to the crisis, which many believe is inadequately critical of Israel.
The incoming government must now make decisions on several critical topics, including whether to reduce or halt military shipments to Israel due to the loss of civilian life.
When asked about the transactions, Mr Lammy said he would “look at the assessment and the legal considerations”.
He stated that the process has begun, and I intend to report to Parliament as soon as possible.
He also stated that he would comment in the coming days on the future of UK support for UNRWA, the UN’s primary agency delivering help in Gaza.
“Invest in your future with Webull UK – get started with free shares.”
The United Kingdom was one of more than a dozen countries that halted financing for the agency in January following suspicions that many staff members were involved in the October 7 attack, and it is one of only a handful that has yet to restore it.
Labour has also promised to recognise the Palestinian state but has yet to specify when it will do so.
Israel initiated its operation in Gaza following last October’s Hamas offensive, which killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251.
Mr Netanyahu has stated that Israel will continue its war until all captives have been released and Hamas eliminated.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 38,584 individuals have died in Gaza as a result of Israel’s offensive. A UN-backed report released last month indicated that the region was at “high risk” of famine, with over half a million people enduring “catastrophic levels” of malnutrition.
The ministry also said that at least 141 individuals had been killed in Israeli strikes since Saturday. Israel claimed one of the strikes, which struck a humanitarian zone, was aimed at top Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.
He is the leader of Hamas’ military arm, the al-Qassam Brigades, and is one of Israel’s most wanted men. It is believed that he was one of the masterminds behind the October 7 assaults.
