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<p>We are calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress
towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting
and loss of life.</p><p>Vital steps include the release of all hostages; the formation
of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international
support package; removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas
no longer being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible
and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.</p><p>The Prime Minister and
Foreign Secretary have reiterated these messages in their contacts with Prime Minister
Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders, as well as leaders in Qatar,
Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon in recent weeks.</p><p>Palestinian civilians
are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.. We have trebled
our aid commitment for this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get
more aid in and open more crossings.</p><p>We have reiterated the need for Israel
to open more crossing points into Gaza, for Nitzana and Kerem Shalom to be open for
longer, and for Israel to support the UN to distribute aid effectively across the
whole of Gaza.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary has appointed a Representative for Humanitarian
Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson. He is based
in the region and is working intensively to address the blockages preventing more
aid reaching Gaza.</p><p>The UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance
to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme
(WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society to respond to critical food, fuel, water,
health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.</p>
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