UK says Gaza war ‘indefensible,’ demands immediate ceasefire, aid access

ISTANBUL

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described on Thursday the war in the Gaza Strip as “indefensible, inhumane and utterly unjustified,” demanding an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and unhindered humanitarian access.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lammy said Palestinians and Israelis “deserve better” than the horrors they face, stressing that Hamas and Israeli actions have perpetuated immense suffering.

“The people of Palestine, whose state we proudly recognize this week, and the people of Israel deserve better. Better than the horrific acts by Hamas on October the second that left children without their parents and parents without their children. Better than Israel’s denial of life-saving humanitarian aid and the catastrophic famine it has caused,” he told delegates.

Lammy condemned the Palestine resistance group as “a vile, pitiless terrorist organization that must have no future in Gaza,” while he held Israel responsible for escalating military operations that have displaced Palestinian families “again and again and again.”

He underlined that there could be “no answer to these horrors but concerted diplomatic action to keep the hope of peace alive,” commending the momentum achieved by the US, Arab and Muslim states to build a durable peace plan.

“Annexation must be prevented, a process of peace advanced, and this terrible, terrible war ended,” Lammy stressed. “There can be no answer except for the hostages out now, aid in now, and a ceasefire now.”

He vowed that London “will not rest until this day has come and there are two states living side by side in peace and security.”