Lammy’s comments follow renewed international criticism of Israel’s handling of humanitarian access to Gaza. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), approximately 6,000 aid trucks remain stranded at border crossings, awaiting Israeli approval to enter the territory. The World Food Programme also warns that nearly one-quarter of Gaza’s population faces famine-like conditions, with over 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

On the ground, Palestinian officials accuse Israeli forces of directly facilitating the theft and obstruction of aid. Gaza’s government media office reported that dozens of humanitarian trucks that entered Gaza last week were looted under Israeli military protection. Despite a desperate need for at least 600 aid trucks daily, only 15% of the required supplies have entered since the beginning of the week.

Hunger, Chaos, And Civilian Deaths

The health ministry in Gaza has recorded 162 deaths from starvation since October 2023, including 92 children. The ongoing closure of humanitarian corridors and intensified military operations have driven food insecurity to catastrophic levels. Sunday’s aid deliveries—far fewer than needed—arrived amid continued reports of sniper fire near aid points and the targeting of civilian shelters.

Lammy signaled his intention to visit Gaza, denouncing the suffering of both Palestinian civilians and the fate of Israeli captives as “tragic.” He emphasized the importance of accountability and said the world “is yearning for an end to this war and the agony it brings.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian reports say over 208,000 people have been killed or wounded in Gaza since October, with thousands still missing and hundreds of thousands displaced.