President, the United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of this resolution to get more aid into Gaza. 

As my Foreign Secretary has said, it is heartbreaking to see children in the rubble of their destroyed homes, not knowing where to find food or water, not knowing where their parents are. It is also heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones who were brutally taken on 7 October. 

And it is heart wrenching to know that aid is piling up outside Gaza but not getting to the people that need it when we hear daily warnings that people are starving, disease is spreading, and basic healthcare is lacking.

The UK is doing everything we can to get more aid in.

We have tripled UK aid to the region.

We were the first country to call on Israel to open more crossings.

The UK has experts on the ground providing logistical support at Al-Arish in Egypt.

And today, we support this resolution which will streamline aid checks so we can massively scale up the humanitarian response; demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages; and calls for steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

For the avoidance of doubt, we are clear that the resolution is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law.

The adoption is an important signal of the Security Council’s commitment.

President, our actions today, and in the future, must help ensure the horror of 7 October never happens again.  We unequivocally condemn Hamas’s acts of terror and support Israel’s right to self defence.

My Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been loud and clear in their calls for a sustainable ceasefire, as soon as possible. But a ceasefire will not last if Hamas is still able to operate in tunnels and launch rocket attacks.

Our commitment to Israel’s security is firm as Israel deals with the threat from Hamas.  

Ultimately, we support a two-state solution that guarantees true security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. 

We thank the UAE for their leadership on this resolution. 

Just this week, my Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Middle East travelled to Jordan and Egypt to make sure we are supporting every effort to get aid in faster.

We will keep working with all partners to deliver a humanitarian response that meets the huge level of need.

I thank you.