Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, James Kariuki, said, “Continued instability and settler violence in the West Bank should not be tolerated by Israel and the culture of impunity must end. This does nothing to bring about peace and security for Palestinians or Israelis.”
Kariuki also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, following the abduction of over 250 hostages, including Emily Damari and three hostages with UK links, in October 2023. He said: “The suffering you and your family have been through is unimaginable. Let me state at the outset that the UK stands with you, and with all those hostage families seeking desperately to bring their loved ones home.”
Furthermore, Kariuki expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that over 45,000 Palestinians have died since October last year. “The UN has reported a shocking increase in cases of acute malnutrition in children, and that Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world,” he said.
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