No humanitarian aid has reached Palestinians in Gaza yet, the UN said on Tuesday, after the UK condemned Israel’s “monstrous” 11-week blockade and ongoing attacks on the strip.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that despite more supplies being dropped off on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, none have reached the starving population.
"Today, one of our teams waited several hours for the Israeli green light to access the Kerem Shalom area and collect the nutrition supplies. Unfortunately, they were not able to to bring those supplies into our warehouse," Dujarric said.
Israel allowed a handful of trucks to enter Gaza on Monday - but it was described as a “drop in the ocean” by UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher.
He also warned that 14,000 babies are at risk of dying within 48 hours if more aid doesn’t enter Gaza quickly.
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, foreign secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of trade negotiations. He said of Israel’s actions: “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”
Key Points
- UN says no aid distributed yet in Gaza
- UK suspends trade negotiations with Israel
- UN: 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours
- UN permitted to bring 100 more aid trucks into Gaza
- Israel ramps up attacks on Gaza despite mounting international pressure
Israel's UK ambassador summoned to Foreign Office
22:08
,
Athena Stavrou
The Middle East minister told Israel's ambassador Tzipi Hotovely that the UK will not "stand by" as Israel escalates military operations in Gaza.
"Today I summoned Israel's Ambassador to the FCDO," Hamish Falconer posted on X.
"I made clear the UK's opposition to expanded military operations in Gaza and rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
"The UK will not stand by as this happens."
UAE says it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent aid to Gaza
21:47
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Athena Stavrou
The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent humanitarian aid from the Gulf country to Gaza, the state news agency WAM reported.
We will bring you more details when more information becomes available.
Full story: Britain sanctions Israel over ‘intolerable’ Gaza crisis and halts trade talks
21:29
,
Athena Stavrou
Britain has issued fresh sanctions against Israel over its “morally unjustifiable” escalation of violence in Gaza, and demanded an end to its “cruel and indefensible” 11-week block on humanitarian aid.
Foreign secretary David Lammy condemned the “monstrous” situation as the UN warned that 14,000 Palestinian babies could die by Thursday unless action is taken to ease the crisis, which has left civilians severely malnourished.
He announced the suspension of trade talks with Israel, imposed sanctions on three individuals and four entities involved in the settler movement, and said Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions were “wholly disproportionate” and “utterly counterproductive”.
Read the full story:
UN: 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours
21:02
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Athena Stavrou
The UN’s humanitarian chief has warned 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if more aid does not enter the territory.
Tom Fletcher said five aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, a “drop in the ocean” after an 11-week blockade by Israel, and were yet to reach the communities in need.
“There are 14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them,” he said.
“We run all sorts of risks trying to get that baby food through to those mothers who cannot feed their children right now because they're malnourished.”
Watch: UK hits Israel with further sanctions and suspends trade talks over Gaza violence
20:29
,
Athena Stavrou
What new sanctions has the UK placed on Israel today?
20:01
,
Athena Stavrou
The Foreign Office announced new sanctions against West Bank settlers in “response to the persistent cycle of serious violence” in the region.
Mr Lammy condemned the actions of “extremist” settlers in the West Bank, saying Mr Netanyahu’s administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions.
The measures announced on Tuesday include financial restrictions and travel bans. They cover prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss and two other individuals, as well as two illegal outposts and two organisations that the Foreign Office said supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities.
Ms Weiss, a target of the sanctions who the government described as a "high-profile extremist settler leader", was a key focus of the recent Louis Theroux BBC documentary Settlers, which shone a light on the tactics of Israeli settlers in the Palestinian West Bank.
The measures follow a dramatic surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording over 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since 1 January 2024.
Why Starmer’s government has waited until now to take action on Israel
19:23
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Athena Stavrou
Frustration spilled over in the Commons on Tuesday – from Labour MPs and others – over the time it has taken for Keir Starmer’s government to step up and take action against Israel over the Gaza crisis.
As the UN warned that 14,000 babies risked death from malnutrition by Thursday without urgent aid, there was a sense that, by the time foreign secretary David Lammy got to his feet, it was already too late and not enough.
As David Lammy announces the suspension of trade talks with Israel and new sanctions over the Gaza humanitarian crisis, political editor David Maddox explains why action wasn’t taken sooner:
Israel army to capture additional territory in Gaza, military chief says
19:01
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Athena Stavrou
The Israeli army will expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip and will capture additional territory, its chief said on Tuesday.
"We are acting according to a structured plan and moving to the next phase. Hamas will pay the price for its defiance... We will expand our manoeuvre, capture additional territory, clear and destroy the terrorist infrastructure until its defeat," Eyal Zamir said in Gaza during a field tour.
The announcement comes as international condemnation of Israel’s latest bombardment and blockade of the strip grows.
EU to review trade deal with Israel
18:22
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Athena Stavrou
The European Union's top diplomat has said that there would be a review of the bloc’s trade agreement with Israel amid the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza.
Kaja Kallas said a "strong majority" of EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels favoured such a review of the EU’s association agreement with Israel in the light of events in Gaza.
"The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it's a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed," Kallas told reporters.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking in parliament, welcomed the EU decision and said 17 out of the 27 member states had backed the move.
EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers have been prepared but have so far been blocked by one member state, Kallas added, without naming the country.
Charities urge UK government to go further
18:05
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Athena Stavrou
After the UK announced a suspension of trade negotiations with Israel, charities have urged the government to go further.
Hannah Bond, co-CEO of ActionAid UK, welcomed the “long-overdue announcement” of fresh measures, but said there was “no excuse for the UK to refrain from going much, much further”.
“The Foreign Secretary rightly described the situation in Gaza as intolerable and abominable – so why is the government allowing weapons partly made in the UK to continue to wreak death and devastation on Palestinians, including women and children?” she said.
“ Until the UK halts all arms exports to the Israeli government, it remains at risk of complicity in the egregious violations of international humanitarian law taking place.
“Any further delay is unconscionable and indefensible. The government must take further action immediately to pressure the Israeli authorities to allow sufficient humanitarian supplies into Gaza and put a permanent end to the war, and it must do everything in its power to hold all those responsible for atrocities and human rights violations to account.”
UN says no aid distributed yet in Gaza
17:42
,
Athena Stavrou
No humanitarian aid has been distributed yet in the Gaza Strip, the UN has said.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that despite more supplies being dropped off on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday, none have reached the starving population.
"Today, one of our teams waited several hours for the Israeli green light to access the Kerem Shalom area and collect the nutrition supplies. Unfortunately, they were not able to to bring those supplies into our warehouse," Dujarric said.
Israel allowed limited aid deliveries to Gaza to resume on Monday after an 11 week blockade
Recap: UK condemns Israel's latest offensive and suspends trade talks
17:22
,
Athena Stavrou
- Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said he was "horrified by the escalation" after issuing a joint statement with France and Canada.
- He condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take “concrete actions” unless he changes course.
- David Lammy announced a suspension of trade talks after threatening sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the crisis in the region.
- He also condemned the actions of “extremist” settlers in the West Bank, saying Mr Netanyahu’s administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions.
- Israel’s ambassador Tzipi Hotovely has been called in to the Foreign Office, where Middle East minister Hamish Falconer said he would set out the Government’s opposition to the “wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza” and emphasise that the 11-week block on aid “has been cruel and indefensible”.
US asked countries if they would be open to accepting Gazans - Rubio
16:59
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Athena Stavrou
Marco Rubio has said Washington has asked countries if they would be open to accepting people from Gaza who want to move voluntarily.
The US Secretary of State clarified that the US had not discussed the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza to Libya.
"What we have talked to some nations about is if someone voluntarily and willingly says I want to go somewhere else for some period of time because I'm sick, because my children need to go to school, or what have you, are there countries in the region willing to accept them for some period of time?," Rubio said, adding that he was not aware of Libya being included in that.
Rubio interrupted by protesters
16:47
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Athena Stavrou
In the US, Marco Rubio’s testimony at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was interrupted by protesters.
A few protesters against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza stood up and shouted “stop the genocide” before police bundled them out of the hearing room.
Protesters have been regularly interrupting congressional hearings during the violence in Gaza.
Former Labour MP asks Lammy 'how do you sleep at night?
16:41
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Athena Stavrou
Zarah Sultana, an Independent MP who was originally elected as the Labour MP for Coventry South, has claimed the UK Government "refuses to ban all arms sales to this genocidal state" of Israel.
She asked David Lammy in the Commons: "I have to ask the Foreign Secretary, 'how do you sleep at night?"'
Mr Lammy replied that he had "banned arms sales that could be used in Gaza" and continued: "I know that (Ms Sultana) is keen on clickbait but I'm not going to be baited from this despatch box."
Report: Israel's plan to split Gaza into 'three controlled zones'
16:26
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Alex Croft
Israel is preparing to divide Gaza into three tightly controlled strips of land unless Hamas accepts a ceasefire deal in a matter of days, reports citing leaked plans suggest.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military ordered Palestinians to move to the south of Gaza earlier this week, as it began seizing control of further parts of the territory as “part of preparations” for the advance it dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
But in a new development – reported on the anniversary of the Nakba, the “catastrophe” in which an estimated 750,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes in 1948 – further plans to carve up Gaza and its people emerged on Saturday.
A map leaked by diplomats to The Times, reportedly shows plans for three tightly controlled strips of civilian land in southern, central and northern Gaza, separated by four exclusively military zones.
In pictures: Palestinians flee Khan Younis as Israel prepares 'unprecedented attack'
16:13
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Alex Croft
Israel ramps up attacks on Gaza despite mounting international pressure
15:56
,
Alex Croft
At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Tuesday alone, according to local medics.
Despite mounting international pressure and the threat of sanctions by countries deemed allies to Israel, it has appeared to loosen its resumed offensive in the Gaza strip.
Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past eight days as the military campaign has intensified, medics in Gaza say.
Two homes where women and children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displaced families.
On Monday, the Israeli military warned those in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast as it prepared for an “unprecedented attack” in the region.
Some miles north, in Gaza City, footage shows men, women and children sifting through the rubble of the Daraj neighbourhood school, where charred pieces of clothing and a red teddy bear lay among scattered belongings.
At the nearby Al-Ahli Hospital men performed prayers over bodies wrapped in white shrouds, before carrying them to their graves.
"What is our fault? What is the fault of children? What is the fault of the women we found on the stairs with their hair and clothes torn and burned?" said Omar Ahel, who had been sheltering at the school. "By God, this is injustice."
Analysis | Netanyahu is turning Israel into a global pariah, so what next?
15:46
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Alex Croft
The Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew writes:
My friends in Gaza - civilians who woke up on 7 October 2023 like the rest of the world, clueless, shocked, and scared - are on the run again this week. For the eighth time.
Israel bombed the building next to their home last week; blowing their neighbours - again, women, children - to pieces and burying them under more rubble.
Now the Israeli military is issuing new sweeping “evacuation” orders - dangerous directives that make no sense in the nightmare reality on the ground.
Under Israel’s total blockade, these friends struggle to eat, sometimes resorting to rotten food. They struggle to get clean water. They struggle to get nutrients to their young baby. They have lost dozens of extended family members. They have done nothing to deserve this.
What further 'concrete actions' could the UK take on Israel?
15:18
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Alex Croft
David Lammy on Tuesday warned Israel that the UK will take further action unless it frees up humanitarian aid and stops its offensive in Gaza.
It follows a joint statement on Monday by, Sir Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, which said: “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
But none of the countries have detailed what those actions could be, leaving experts and advocates to call for restrictions on everything from fighter jet part sales to bans from international music events in response.
What 'concrete actions' could UK take against Israel?
15:13
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Alex Croft
Political correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
As we reported earlier, the UK has promised “concrete actions” alongside France and Canada if Israel does not end its resumed offensive in Gaza and allow unhindered aid into the strip.
A short while ago in the Commons, foreign secretary David Lamy laid out the first such action: a halt to trade negotiations with Israel.
Any further actions will take place if Israel continues its offensive and does not allow in aid, Mr Lammy said.
Downing Street has avoided speculation over what measures could fall under the phrase “concrete actions”.
Pressed on what that action might look like, the official said: "I'd point you to the fact that the UK has already introduced sanctions…We will continue to consider future options, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to speculate about those."
Analysis: End of the bipartisan stance on Israel/ Gaza in UK Parliament
15:02
,
Alex Croft
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
There have been scenes in the Commons after Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel laid into David Lammy for his actions against Israel in protest against its treatment of Gaza.
Dame Priti suggested that the UK government should have been cooperating with Israel in its new much criticised pathway for aid to the besieged Gaza strip as thousands face starvation.
A visibly enraged Mr Lammy pointed out how in the past it was Conservative governments who had taken action against the egregious actions of Israel, including Margaret Thatcher, David Cameron and Theresa May.
He declared the end of the bipartisan stance the main parties have had on the Middle East crisis.
Starmer: Number of food aid trucks entering Gaza 'utterly inadequate'
15:00
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Alex Croft
Before hearing from foreign secretary David Lammy in the House of Commons, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer gave a statement of his own.
He repeated the sentiment of a statement published alongside France and Canada yesterday, which saw the three countries take their strongest stance yet by promising “concrete actions” if it Israel does not free up aid and end its resumed offensive in Gaza.
Here is what Sir Keir said in the Commons today:
We’re horrified by the escalation from Israel. We repeat our demand for a ceasefire as the only way to free the hostages.
We repeat our opposition to settlements in the West Bank, and we repeat our demand to massively scale-up humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The recent announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza, a basic quantity, is totally and utterly inadequate, so we must coordinate our response because this war has gone on for far too long.
We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve, and the Foreign Secretary (David Lammy) will come to the House shortly to set out our response in detail.
Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons on Tuesday
Pictured: Desperation in Gaza after Israeli blockade causes widespread hunger
14:56
,
Alex Croft
UN permitted to bring 100 more aid trucks into Gaza
14:53
,
Alex Croft
Israel has given permission to the UN to allow 100 more emergency aid trucks to enter Gaza - although the first supplies to have entered in weeks remain under Israeli control, a spokesperson said.
"We have requested and received approval for more trucks to enter today, many more than were approved yesterday," Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) told a Geneva press briefing. Asked to specify how many, he said: "Around 100."
After weeks of blockade, Israel cleared nine trucks of goods on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. However, Laerke said just five of those had so far entered Gaza and were still currently "under Israeli control" and subject to the last stage of checks.
UK announces further sanctions on settlers
14:49
,
Alex Croft
The UK has announced further sanctions in response to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The measures, including financial restrictions and travel bans, cover prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss - seen in the recent Louis Theroux documentary The Settlers -and two other individuals. Two illegal outposts and two organisations that the Foreign Office said supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank are also sanctioned.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.
“The sanctioning of Daniella Weiss and others today demonstrates our determination to hold extremist settlers to account as Palestinian communities suffer violence and intimidation at the hands of extremist settlers.
“The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.”
Breaking: UK suspends trade negotiations with Israel
14:45
,
Alex Croft
David Lammy has announced that the UK will suspend trade negotiations with Israel due to its actions in Gaza.
“We have suspended negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement,” Mr Lammy said, adding that the actions of the Netanyahu government has “made this necessary”.
“The minister for the Middle East will be summoning the Israeli ambassador [Tzipi Hotovely] to convey this message,” he adds.
“I say now to the people of Israel, we want a strong friendship with you based on the same values... but the conduct of the war in Gaza is damaging our relationship with your government.”
“If Israel pursues this military offensive, as it has threatened, failing to ensure the unhindered provision of aid, we will take further action in response” he adds.
Lammy: We are entering a dark, new phase of this conflict
14:40
,
Alex Croft
The UK’s foreign minister David Lammy currently at the despatch box in the House of Commons, where he is setting out Britain’s response to Israel’s resumed offensive.
“We are now entering a dark, new phase in this conflict,” he says, describing the situation in Gaza as “abominable”.
“You have to offer a viable political alternative” to war, he adds, calling on Benjamin Netanyahu to “end this blockade”.
“We’ve made clear that Israel’s actions are intolerable,” he adds.
UN: 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours
14:00
,
Alex Croft
The UN’s humanitarian chief has warned 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if more aid does not enter the territory.
Tom Fletcher said five aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, a “drop in the ocean” after an 11-week blockade by Israel, and were yet to reach the communities in need.
“There are 14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them,” he said.
“We run all sorts of risks trying to get that baby food through to those mothers who cannot feed their children right now because they're malnourished.”
He said the UN hopes to get another 100 trucks into Gaza today, loaded with baby food and nutrition.
"I want to save as many as these 14,000 babies as we can in the next 48 hours," he said, adding the UN needed to “flood the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid”.
Mr Fletcher continued: “We get impeded at every point. But we'll load those up with that baby food, and our people will run those risks.”
Mr Fletcher said it was “utterly chilling” number, and the agency faced significant issues trying to reach them but they would “keep going”.
Israel allows first aid trucks in - but the UN says its a 'drop in the ocean'
13:59
,
Alex Croft
Israel today allowed five aid trucks to enter Gaza, ending an 11-week blockade which caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.
This is just a “drop in the ocean” compared to what is needed in Gaza, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said.
The organisation has long said Gaza needs at least 500 trucks of aid and commercial goods every day. Today’s total makes up just one per cent of what the UN says is needed.
Pictures of children clambering to fill their pans with food in the Gaza strip have pushed Israel’s allies in the West to increase their pressure on the Netanyahu government, which has been public about its plans to take over the Gaza strip.
But whether Israel will continue to increase the levels of aid delivered to the population of Gaza remains to be seen.
