Shelling of UN Headquarters is unacceptable

William Hague has condemned the shelling of the UN Headquarters in Gaza as “unacceptable”.

The UN has suspended its aid operations after its Headquarters was allegedly shelled with 'white phosphorus' shells by the Israeli Defence Forces.

William, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, highlighted the good work of the UN in providing food and aid to over a million Palestinian refugees in Gaza – and stressed:

“The suspension of its operations will bring more misery to civilians. We desperately need a ceasefire by both sides, not further escalation.”

He called on both sides to meet their obligations to protect aid workers at all times, and on the British government to work with Israel and Egypt to create safe passage for ambulances and humanitarian assistance into and around Gaza and to ensure the evacuation of the most urgent medical cases.

He also added, “The international community must make the necessary plans now so that as soon as hostilities come to an end, Gaza’s civilian population can receive the large-scale aid and assistance it so clearly needs.”