Statement: MEND Condemns Israel’s Shattering of the Gaza Ceasefire

MEND unequivocally condemns Israel’s shattering of the ceasefire through devastating airstrikes that have massacred over 400 Palestinians. The horrific images emerging from Gaza – particularly of murdered children and babies – are a harrowing testament to the Israeli state’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Since January, Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire. On Saturday, Israel killed eight volunteer aid workers from the UK-registered charity Al-Khair Foundation in a targeted drone strike. Shockingly, the Foreign Office has refused to issue a direct condemnation of the attack, offering only a hollow statement that it is “deeply saddening to hear of further loss of life in Gaza.”

These attacks come after Israel’s decision to block the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza at the beginning of March – coinciding with the start of Ramadan – halting essential humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians. In addition, Israel has cut off Gaza’s electricity supply, including power to Gaza’s main desalination plant which provides clean drinking water. This blockade has severely restricted access to food, water, and medical supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe Israel continues to inflict on the Palestinian people.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged  – for the first time – that Israel’s blockade of Gaza constitutes “a breach of international law.” The government has also stated it would “use the diplomatic influence we have to try to get that ceasefire restored as soon as possible.”

However, words must be backed by meaningful action.

MEND urges the government to unequivocally condemn Israel’s latest assault on Gaza, demand an immediate end to the Israeli blockade, while putting in place an arms embargo on all weapons sales to Israel from the UK and hold Israel accountable for collapsing the ceasefire.

Enough is enough.