Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, emphasized the urgency of providing aid to the people in Gaza without delays. She urged Israel to remove restrictions on essential supplies crucial for saving lives. Cooper is set to travel to Jordan to witness the situation firsthand, where much-needed aid, funded by Britain, is currently blocked from entering Gaza.
Expressing her concern, Cooper stressed, “The people of Gaza cannot wait any longer.” During her first trip to the Middle East as Foreign Secretary, she is determined to address the obstacles hindering the delivery of vital aid. In discussions with her Saudi counterpart in Riyadh, Cooper highlighted the need for sustained efforts to achieve lasting peace following the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Cooper also engaged with volunteers at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to explore ways to rebuild Gaza’s healthcare system. Her visit will include the announcement of £6 million in funding for critical healthcare services for women in Gaza, focusing on emergency birth kits to support those forced to give birth outside hospitals. Furthermore, discussions with Jordanian leaders will center on the ceasefire and the reconstruction initiatives.
The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to meet with schoolgirls and visit a hospital where children initially received care after being evacuated from Gaza to the UK. Additionally, she will observe the training of Palestinian security forces based in the West Bank. Cooper’s visit aims to shed light on the challenges faced by the people of Gaza and to bolster international efforts towards sustainable peace in the region.