Profound concern over Gaza, chief minister says

Guernsey’s chief minister has written to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to condemn the “suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza”.

In the letter, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez references Starmer’s intention to work with international partners to “stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need”.

She said Guernsey politicians had expressed support for a joint statement from the UK and international partners calling for the war in Gaza to end immediately.

Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies into Gaza, has blamed Hamas for any cases of malnutrition.

The letter comes after 12 of 38 Guernsey deputies wrote to the chief minister asking her to pressure the UK government for a ceasefire.

De Sausmarez’s letter said: “Members of the Government of Guernsey are profoundly concerned by the deaths and suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza, including through the destruction of critical infrastructure and restricted distribution of humanitarian aid.

“Further, the members are deeply moved by the plight of people of all ages who are caught up in any conflict.

“The members hope that the global community soon finds and implements effective ways to protect civilians, alleviate human suffering and secure lasting peace.”

Israel, which controls border crossings into Gaza, was urged by Starmer let more aid into the Gaza Strip as humanitarian organisations increasingly warn of spreading starvation.

Israel had said foreign nations would be able to send supplies into Gaza via air drops.

However, aid agencies said air drops were a “grotesque distraction” that will not reverse the territory’s deepening starvation crisis.

Israel said “hundreds of trucks still await pick up” at crossings into Gaza as it insisted there are no restrictions on aid getting in.

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