**UK Foreign Secretary Slams Israel’s Handling of Gaza Crisis**
David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, has strongly condemned the Israeli government’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In an interview with BBC, Lammy expressed his disgust and horror at the suffering of civilians in Gaza, saying that Israel’s actions were “hugely disappointing” and described the situation as “grotesque”.
The UK and 27 other nations had called for an end to the Gaza war and accused Israel of “drip-feeding” aid to Gaza residents. This criticism was met with a fierce response from Israel, which claimed that the statement was “disconnected” from reality and would only serve to embolden Hamas.
**Statement Sparks Controversy**
The international statement, which condemned Israel’s tactic of providing aid in small quantities, sparked controversy among world leaders. The statement read: “We condemn drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane murder of civilians including children who are seeking to meet their basic needs of food and water.” It is estimated that over 800 Palestinians were killed while trying to get aid.
Gaza’s Hamas health ministry announced on Monday that over 100 Palestinians died in the past weekend while waiting for food, and 19 others died from malnutrition. Lammy’s statement was met with outrage from Israel, which claimed that it was “disconnected” from reality and would only serve to embolden Hamas.
**War Crimes Allegations**
When asked whether what he described constituted war crimes, Lammy replied that this was a decision for lawyers at the International Criminal Court or the International Court of Justice. However, he continued: “To tell the truth, this is beyond lawyers. I want this war over. The British people see the horrors on TV and believe that this war must end.”
They are offended by the children suffering as we see,” Lammy said, emphasizing the need for a lasting ceasefire.
**UK Vows to Take Action**
Lammy warned Israel that the UK would take further action if the Israeli government did not “change its behaviour in how it conducts this war”. However, he refused to reveal what actions the UK government was considering. The UK has been under pressure from international leaders to take a stronger stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
**Background on Gaza Conflict**
The conflict began when Israel launched a military operation in Gaza as a response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel that took place on 7 October 2023. In this attack, approximately 1,200 people died and 251 were taken hostage. Since then, more than 59,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry.
The healthcare, sanitation, and hygiene systems are in ruins, and there is a shortage of food, fuel, and medicine. Over 90 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many homes destroyed or damaged.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
