UK calls for more humanitarian support into Gaza 'urgently'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Amid relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza, Britain on Tuesday called for getting more humanitarian support into the strip.

Speaking during the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Tom Tugendhat, UK's minister of state for security, said there is an immediate need for humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip.

"We must urgently get more humanitarian support into Gaza," he said, welcoming the opening of the Rafah crossing. Since Oct. 21, three humanitarian convoys reached Gaza with a total of 54 trucks, according to the UN agency for refugees UNRWA.

Reiterating UK's support for "Israel's the right to defend itself," Tugendhat said it "must act" in line with international humanitarian law and take "every possible step" to avoid harming civilians.

He said a constant stream of aid, water, fuel, medicine and food is "desperately needed."

Tugendhat also reiterated Britain's position on the two-state solution, saying "the events of the past week show with total clarity, the need to achieve these goals."

On Oct. 7 Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestine resistance group Hamas into Israeli border towns.

Israel also put the territory’s 2.3 million residents under a complete siege, blockading food, fuel and medical supplies.

More than 7,100 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 5,791 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

The UNRWA has warned of halting its operations in the besieged Palestinian enclave on Wednesday night if it does not get fuel urgently.