Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
the Middle East.
"Thank you President, and thank you ASG Khiari for your briefing.
The UK joined the US and France in calling for this important
briefing.
I would like to add my sincere gratitude to you, Eli, for the
courage you have shown today, and every day, since those horrific
events of 7 October.
The suffering you and your family have endured is beyond
imagination.
Hamas must be held accountable for their despicable actions
including the murder of your wife, Lianne, a British national,
and your two daughters.
Your powerful testimony also serves as a reminder of the anguish
that the remaining hostages held by Hamas continue to endure.
This Council has called for the immediate and unconditional
release of all hostages in all four of our resolutions since
October 7th.
I repeat that call today.
This includes the release of hostage Avinatan Or, and the return
of deceased hostages Shay Levinson and Eli's brother Yossi
Sharabi who also have strong links to the UK.
We also remain deeply concerned by the appalling treatment of
hostages during their captivity, as we have heard from Eli today,
and the shocking images we have seen around their release.
In its dedicated reports, the UN has concluded that there are
reasonable grounds to suspect sexual violence occurred during the
7 October attacks.
President, the UK is also deeply concerned at reports of sexual
and gender-based violence against Palestinian detainees by
Israeli forces.
These allegations must be fully investigated.
We reiterate our call for the International Committee of the Red
Cross to be granted unfettered and immediate access to the
hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees.
Granting ICRC access is a clear obligation under international
humanitarian law.
The suffering in Gaza has gone on for far too long.
Just yesterday we heard the tragic news that a UN compound in
Deir al Balah was hit, killing and injuring humanitarian workers,
including a British national.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
And as my Foreign Secretary has said, this appalling incident
must be investigated transparently and those responsible held to
account.
The protection of the UN and humanitarian workers is
non-negotiable.
And Israel must facilitate a rapid and unhindered resurgence in
the flow of aid.
We condemn the unacceptable statements from Defence Minister Katz
warning of the total destruction of Gaza.
President, both Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal in
January which provided for the release of all hostages through
the three phases of the deal.
With the Israeli air strikes this week, which have killed so many
Palestinian civilians, that deal has fallen apart and with it,
the best chance we had seen to return the hostages to their
families and end their suffering.
We call on the parties to urgently return to this deal.
For the sake of the hostages and their families who continue to
wait in agony for news of their loved ones.
And for the sake of the Palestinians in Gaza who have already
suffered terribly.
Diplomacy must be the way forward, not bloodshed."
