UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Announces £20 Million Aid Boost for Gaza, Urges Continued Support in Ongoing Conflict

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday that Britain will be providing an additional £20 million ($24 million) of aid to help civilians in Gaza who have been affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This brings the total amount pledged by Britain to Palestinian territories to £30 million, with £10 million being made available last week. The conflict between Hamas militants and Israel escalated on October 7, with Israeli officials reporting that at least 1,400 people, primarily civilians, were killed on the first day of the raid.

In response, Israeli forces have launched relentless bombardments across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 5,000 Palestinians, the majority of which are civilians, according to the Hamas health ministry. During his visit to the Middle East last week, Prime Minister Sunak updated lawmakers on the situation and emphasized the importance of continuous aid flow into Gaza. While acknowledging the progress made through the arrival of aid trucks via the Rafah crossing, Sunak stressed that more needs to be done in terms of providing water, food, medicine, and fuel, which are urgently required in the region.

Additionally, Sunak shared that the British government has determined that the explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, which claimed the lives of hundreds of people last Tuesday, was likely caused by a missile fired from within Gaza. Hamas and Israel have both blamed each other for the blast, but on the basis of deep knowledge and analysis from British intelligence and weapons experts, the British government has concluded that the explosion originated from Gaza. It is worth noting that France's DRM military intelligence agency stated on Friday that there was no evidence suggesting an Israeli strike caused the explosion.

Despite differing accounts, the focus remains on providing immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza who are in dire need of support. The UK's commitment to increasing its aid to Palestinians this year is commendable and reflects the government's determination to assist those affected in the region. The additional £20 million pledged by Britain will significantly contribute to addressing the urgent needs of civilians in Gaza. However, the situation calls for sustained support and a continuous stream of aid to alleviate the suffering and provide the necessary resources for survival.