LONDON
Britain expressed concern Tuesday over a plan by Israel to expand its war on Gaza, saying it “strongly” opposes the expansion of Israeli operations in the enclave.
"We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s operations. Any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be unacceptable," Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, told the House of Commons.
On Sunday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to expand its war on Gaza and occupy more territory inside the Palestinian enclave, paving the way for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
Falconer stressed that the UK wants the war to end, adding they want an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the urgent provision of humanitarian aid and a pathway to a political solution.
"Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change," he noted.
He also said that an expansion of military operations will result in the deaths of more innocent civilians and put the hostages at yet greater risk.
"We urge all parties to return urgently to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full and work towards a permanent peace," he said.
Reiterating the crippling conditions in the Strip, he recalled that after more than two months of aid into Gaza being blocked, Palestinians continue to face immense suffering.
Nearly 2.4 million people in Gaza live completely dependent on humanitarian aid, according to World Bank data.
In Sunday's Cabinet meeting, the Israeli government also approved a plan to distribute aid in the blockaded enclave through private security contractors.
"As the UN has said, it is hard to see how, if implemented, the new Israeli plan to deliver aid through private companies would be consistent with humanitarian principles and meet the scale of the need. We need urgent clarity from the Israeli government on their intentions," said Falconer.
"These humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world. They should be applied consistently in every warzone," he added.
He went on to say that humanitarian aid "must never be used as a political tool," adding Israel is bound under international law to allow the unhindered passage of humanitarian aid.
"We reiterate our outrage at recent strikes by Israeli forces on humanitarian workers, on infrastructure and health care facilities," he said.
Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza’s crossings closed to food, medical and humanitarian aid, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Figures released by Gaza’s Government Media Office showed that at least 57 Palestinians have died of starvation since October 2023.
More than 52,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.