Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, emphasized the urgent need for aid in Gaza and urged Israel to remove restrictions on essential supplies. She is traveling to Jordan to observe the delay in aid delivery to Gaza, where a warehouse stocked with British-funded aid is being blocked from entering the conflict-affected area.
Expressing concern for the people of Gaza, Cooper stated that waiting for assistance is not an option. She is on a four-day visit to the Middle East, aiming to facilitate the release of vital supplies. During her discussions with Saudi officials in Riyadh, she highlighted the critical situation in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of accelerating aid delivery to the region.
Cooper also met with the Saudi Foreign Minister to discuss strategies for securing long-term peace following the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Emphasizing the fragility of the ceasefire, she emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to ensure a just and lasting peace, including support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
During her visit to Jordan, Cooper will announce £6 million in funding for life-saving healthcare services for women in Gaza. This includes emergency birth kits to address the high number of women giving birth outside of hospitals weekly. She will engage in discussions with Jordanian leaders on rebuilding efforts and the ceasefire situation.
Additionally, Cooper will interact with schoolgirls, visit hospitals where Gaza children received NHS care in the UK, and observe the training of Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. These engagements aim to provide insights into the humanitarian needs and rebuilding efforts in Gaza following the recent conflict.
