LONDON: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza as a “moral outrage” on Friday after the world’s leading food crisis authority confirmed famine in Gaza City.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said on Friday that famine is occurring in the territory’s largest city, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, and warned it could spread south to Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of next month.
“The confirmation of famine in Gaza City and the surrounding neighborhood is utterly horrifying and is wholly preventable,” Lammy said in a statement. “The Israeli government’s refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused this man-made catastrophe. This is a moral outrage.”
The IPC determination comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel’s military campaign and restrictions on food, fuel and other essentials were causing acute starvation, especially among children.
“The IPC report makes clear the sickening consequences, especially for children,” Lammy said. “The Government of Israel can and must immediately act to stop the situation deteriorating any further. It must immediately and sustainably allow unhindered food, medical supplies, fuel, and all types of aid to reach those who so desperately need them.”
Lammy urged Israel to remove barriers preventing humanitarian agencies from working in Gaza.
“The Israeli government must allow the UN and international NGOs to carry out their life-saving work without obstruction. Aid must reach those in need urgently and without delay,” he said.
The minister also reiterated calls for a halt to hostilities, warning that the continuing assault on Gaza City was exacerbating the crisis.
“We desperately need an immediate ceasefire, to enable aid delivery at maximum speed and at the scale required. This includes halting the military operation in Gaza City which is the epicentre of the famine,” he said.
“The UK reiterates its condemnation of this military action, which will only worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of the hostages held by Hamas. We urge the Israeli government to change course and halt its plans.
“This terrible conflict must end. An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way to stop the suffering, secure the release of the hostages, achieve a surge in aid and deliver a framework for lasting peace,” he added.
