A cross-party coalition of British MPs is calling on the government to take urgent action to stop what they describe as the “slaughter and starvation” unfolding in Gaza. Their demand? Recognise the state of Palestine, impose tougher sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and shut down a controversial aid organisation accused of obstructing humanitarian relief.
The group’s newly released report paints a grim picture of life in Gaza, where famine looms and aid deliveries remain paralyzed. According to humanitarian monitors, 113 people – including 81 children – have already died from malnutrition since 2023, a direct consequence of Israel’s blockade and the chaos surrounding aid distribution.
Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the committee, issued a stark warning: “The UK cannot simply shrug its shoulders. Our alliances, our voice on the global stage, and our historical responsibilities demand that we push for a ceasefire and for real progress toward a two-state solution.”
A War Without End
The Gaza conflict was reignited by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Israel’s military response has since devastated Gaza, leaving more than 59,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
Amid this devastation, Hamas has tabled a ceasefire proposal that includes a 60-day truce and a hostage exchange plan. Israeli officials are reviewing the offer, but no agreement has been reached.
Beyond Gaza, violence is surging in the occupied West Bank, where two Palestinian teenagers were recently killed by Israeli fire, pushing the death toll in the territory to nearly 1,000 since the war began.
A Call for Accountability
The MPs are also urging the government to investigate and shut down the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which aid charities accuse of obstructing and politicising critical relief work. If action is taken, it would mark a rare instance of Britain directly intervening in how aid is delivered to conflict zones.
For lawmakers, the message is clear: Britain must use its diplomatic power to ease suffering and pave the way for peace, starting with official recognition of Palestine. “This is not just about foreign policy,” Thornberry said. “It is about human lives and moral responsibility.”
