ActionAid UK reacts to the urgent question session on Gaza in the House of Commons today and calls for the UK government to act now and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Reacting to the urgent question session on Gaza in the House of Commons today, Julia Rosell Jackson, Senior Humanitarian Advocacy Adviser – Women's Rights at ActionAid UK, said:
"After the IPC report warning of imminent famine, caused by Israeli blockades of aid, the facilitation of which was a provisional measure by the International Court of Justice, it is very disappointing that the UK is setting a dangerous precedent of not holding the offending government to account. What more needs to happen? 87% of those who have died in Gaza from famine and dehydration are children. We hear from our colleagues that mothers have resorted to eating animal feed. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by hunger, being most likely to eat last and eat least.
"Statements and current diplomatic efforts alone have failed to effectively pressure Israel to ensure sustained and sufficient aid access - The UK must take tangible and effective measures to ensure that Israel acts in accordance with its International Humanitarian Law obligations. Ceasing arms transfers to Israel - alongside other measures, including calling for a full and immediate ceasefire - would be an important step towards upholding international accountability."