Israel’s illegal plan to occupy Gaza is utterly indefensible

Reacting to the announcement of Israel’s plan to occupy Gazan territory and forcibly displace parts of the population, Amelia Whitworth, Head of Policy, Campaigns & Youth at Plan International UK said:

“Should this plan be allowed to go ahead, it would represent Israel’s most vehemently aggressive act to date against Gazan civilians and would be a death sentence for thousands.  

“Forcibly displacing civilians is a profound violation of International Humanitarian Law, as is blocking humanitarian aid and deliberately targeting schools and refugee camps. World leaders must be clear: any support for such action is an endorsement of war crimes.

“Governments must do all in their power to stop this slaughter. The UK Government needs to step up and finally hold Israel accountable for its actions. This must include stopping the ongoing sale of UK fighter jet parts to Israel which are being used to kill Gazan civilians, along with other British-manufactured weapons and ammunition. 

“We know through our work with local partners that Gazan children are enduring the worst horrors imaginable – starvation, disease, intensifying trauma. For their sake, this sickening violence must end immediately. The world cannot stand by as Israel deliberately starves and kills Palestinian children and their families.”