The Foreign Secretary emphasized the urgent need for assistance in Gaza, urging Israel to remove restrictions on essential supplies without delay. Yvette Cooper is set to travel to Jordan to witness the blockage of crucial aid destined for the war-torn region, including supplies funded by the UK.
Expressing concern for the people of Gaza, Cooper stressed the immediate necessity for aid delivery during her upcoming visit to the Middle East. She highlighted the presence of malnutrition and man-made famine among children in the region, emphasizing the importance of accelerating aid distribution.
In discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Cooper addressed the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the collective effort required to achieve a just and lasting peace. Both nations support the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully.
During her visit, Cooper engaged with volunteers at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to explore rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare system. She also participated in a traditional tea ceremony with prominent Saudi women at the King Abdullah Financial District.
In Jordan, Cooper will announce £6 million in funding for life-saving healthcare for women, particularly focusing on emergency birth kits to support pregnant women in Gaza. She will meet with Jordanian leaders to discuss post-ceasefire reconstruction efforts.
Additionally, the Foreign Secretary will interact with schoolgirls, visit hospitals caring for children evacuated from Gaza for NHS treatment, and observe training sessions for Palestinian security forces based in the West Bank.