UK condemns Israel for breaking international law over Gaza aid blockade

In March 2025, UK foreign secretary David Lammy stated that Israel is violating international law by imposing a blockade on Gaza that has lasted over two weeks. This blockade has severely limited the delivery of essential goods, including food, fuel, and medicine, exacerbating humanitarian conditions for the 2.3 million residents in the area. The UK government has previously hesitated to make definitive statements regarding Israel's actions, typically stating that such actions could risk breaching international humanitarian law. However, Lammy's remarks mark a significant shift in the UK's stance regarding the situation in Gaza, prompting concerns over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the effects on local populations. He highlighted the importance of aid delivery, emphasizing that the halt in supplies has led to alarming conditions, especially as the conflict continues to impact civilians, including women and children, who constitute a large portion of the fatalities reported. The blockade and the consequent humanitarian issues arise after military operations intensified following a cross-border raid by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of around 250 hostages. Israel's military response has led to the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, raising urgent questions about international humanitarian law and the obligations of states during wartime. Lammy calls for the resumption of aid to ensure that humanitarian support reaches those in need and urges a return to previous levels of aid deliveries prior to the blockade. As the situation evolves, international scrutiny continues to mount concerning the legality and morality of both Israel's military actions and the terms governing the aid delivery to Gaza.