UK Condemns Israel’s Gaza Blockade as Breach of International Law Amid Ceasefire Stalemate

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has strongly criticized Israel's ongoing blockade of aid deliveries into Gaza, stating that it constitutes a breach of international law. Speaking in the House of Commons, Lammy condemned the two-week-long stoppage of food, fuel, and medicine shipments into the besieged territory, calling it "appalling and unacceptable." He further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of "starving children" and urged immediate action to restore humanitarian aid access for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Israel imposed the blockade on March 2, citing a dispute over the timing of the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The move has sparked international outcry, with Lammy emphasizing that while Israel has the right to defend itself, obstructing critical humanitarian aid is unjustifiable. "This is a breach of international law. Israel quite rightly must defend its own security. But we find the lack of aid—it's now been 15 days since aid got into Gaza—unacceptable, hugely alarming, and very worrying," he told Parliament.

The British government’s stance marks a significant shift in its approach to Israel’s military actions following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks. Previously, the UK Foreign Office had refrained from making direct legal determinations, instead cautioning that British weapons sold to Israel carried a "clear risk" of being used in violations of international humanitarian law. In light of mounting concerns, the UK suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel earlier this year.

Lammy’s remarks came in response to Labour MP Rupa Huq, who questioned what consequences Israel would face for what she described as "provocative actions during Ramadan," widely regarded as breaches of international law. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also weighed in, stating unequivocally that Israel was "in breach of international law."

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have reached a stalemate. The initial 42-day truce was set to transition into a second phase, facilitating the release of all remaining hostages and moving toward a more lasting cessation of hostilities. However, the process has been derailed. While Israel backed an extension proposal reportedly put forward by Donald Trump's former Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—intended to cover both the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover—Hamas has rejected this, insisting on advancing to the second phase of the agreement.

As tensions mounted, Netanyahu’s office released a statement reinforcing Israel’s position: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that, from this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be suspended. Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas persists with its refusal, there will be other consequences."

Hamas swiftly condemned the blockade, calling it an act of "cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant coup against the ceasefire agreement." The militant group maintains that Israel must uphold its commitments under the truce, particularly concerning the phased release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid access.

In an attempt to break the deadlock, Netanyahu announced on Saturday night that Israel was prepared to continue ceasefire negotiations based on a U.S.-backed proposal. The plan reportedly involves securing the release of 11 living hostages and half of the deceased captives. Netanyahu's office confirmed that high-level discussions were underway: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an in-depth discussion this evening on the issue of the hostages, with the participation of the negotiating team and the heads of the security establishment. Following the discussion, the Prime Minister instructed the negotiating team to prepare for the continuation of the talks as per the mediators' response to the Witkoff proposal."

This latest development followed an announcement from Hamas that it was willing to release the last remaining American-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, along with the remains of four other dual-national hostages, provided Israel adheres to the ceasefire framework. Alexander, 21, has been held captive for 525 days. Hamas officials stated that the release would be contingent on Israel resuming the truce agreement, halting restrictions on humanitarian aid, and withdrawing from a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt.

A senior Hamas representative emphasized that talks over the ceasefire’s second phase must begin immediately following the hostages’ release and should not extend beyond 50 days. However, with both sides entrenched in their respective positions, the prospect of a sustainable resolution remains uncertain.

The situation continues to draw sharp criticism from human rights organizations and international leaders, who warn that the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza could have devastating consequences. As diplomatic pressure mounts, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Israel and Hamas can find common ground to prevent further escalation.

SLHA & News Agencies
18 March 2025