Gaza conflict only deepening, warns Bucks UN expert
Despite a humanitarian corridor reopening, civilians are still said to be struggling to access very limited resources
A United Nations expert in Buckinghamshire is warning that the world is far from witnessing a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Director of UN Studies at the University of Buckingham, and former UN Speechwriter Mark Seddon, described the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “an absolute abhorrence,” warning that public pressure is growing.
Pr Seddon’s remarks come in the wake of intensifying violence, continued aid restrictions, and growing international criticism over the actions of the Israeli government.
The UK yesterday sanctioned two Israeli government ministers for "inciting violence" and abuses of Palestinian human rights, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.
Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister respectively, will be subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.
The UK is taking the action to ramp up pressure on Israel alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway.
Mr Lammy said the two Israeli ministers had been "inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights".
In a joint statement with foreign ministers from the four other countries who have announced sanctions, the Foreign Secretary said the two senior Israelis had also incited "serious abuses of Palestinian human rights".
Downing Street said the two ministers had been sanctioned in their "personal capacities".
Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza.
Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, and also supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
Meanwhile a recent 12-week embargo on humanitarian aid and ongoing difficulties for Palestinians attempting to access limited relief supplies have left tens of thousands at further risk.
Pr Seddon said: "We’ve been seeing over the days there have been many Palestinians killed whilst trying to access some of this very limited aid."
Earlier this week, a fleet of high-profile activists, including Greta Thunberg, embarked on a humanitarian ship in an effort to deliver aid to Gaza, but were intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching their intended destination.
Meanwhile across North Africa and Western nations, including in the UK, the number of protests is increasing, with pressure placed on governments to act.
Pr Seddon added: "There are tens of thousands of people beginning to gather right across North Africa demanding that humanitarian aid is let in, and that there is an end to this war."
Making sense of the political situation here in the UK, Pr Seddon described a perceived refusal from the government to distance itself from US policy.
He further highlighted conflict within the UK Foreign Office, where 300 staff have raised concerns about complicity in breaches of international law.