There has been a horrific loss of innocent lives in both Israel and Gaza over the last two weeks. We should also not forget the UK nationals killed in the Hamas attacks. Nor those kidnapped. If Hamas had a single ounce of humanity, they would release all the hostages immediately.
We should be under no illusion that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. They are using people as human shields. Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering terribly now because of Hamas, with the casualty numbers climbing constantly. These terrorists murder Israeli children, then run and hide behind Palestinian children.
I was very pleased to see that we are now delivering food, water and medicine that was so urgently required to those blameless Palestinians caught up in the Hamas attacks on innocent people. The UK has now committed £20 million of extra support to help Palestinian civilians in Gaza. I hope this aid is allowed to continue and the restoring of the water supplies to Gaza. All sides should commit to the sanctity of UN installations, hospitals, and shelters.
My thoughts are firmly with both the Palestinians and Israelis. The barbaric attacks we have witnessed over the last two weeks are the acts of a terrorist organisation who spares no thought or concern for the people of Gaza, Israel, or any foreign national. They care only for themselves.
