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The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 August 2026.

Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

Madame President, last November, this Council adopted Resolution 2803, sending a powerful message of international support for President Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.

As we have heard from High Representative Mladenov, important progress has been made, which we welcome. But success relies on the actions of the parties themselves.

First, all sides must fulfil the commitments they have made.

The ceasefire must be respected.

Israel must deliver her commitments made in the 20-point plan, including a phased withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza. 

Hamas must deliver on its commitment to decommission its weapons and terror infrastructure.

And there must be a credible Palestinian-led transition of governance and security, across the whole of the Gaza Strip.

We encourage the Palestinian Authority to implement the reforms necessary to take on its responsibilities. 

Plans to hold legislative elections in November and national elections next year in Palestine are an important step.

They must be free, fair, and inclusive.

Second, resolution 2803 requires the full resumption of aid into Gaza and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.

Yet the humanitarian situation remains dire.

Averting starvation cannot be the benchmark.

59% of Gaza’s population still faces crisis levels of food insecurity or worse; 1.9 million Palestinians remain displaced; and fuel shortages are affecting hospitals, and water and sanitation infrastructure. 

The Government of Israel must end excessive aid restrictions; ensure that all aid including fuel and engine oil can enter predictably, and at scale; open all crossings; and review the dual-use list to allow vital aid supplies in. 

And Hamas must stop obstructing humanitarian operations, as they did in July at a UN warehouse and food distribution point. This disrupted the delivery of life-saving assistance, with two truck drivers reportedly assaulted.

The increasingly dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence, and obstruction which puts humanitarian workers at risk needs to end.

The inviolability of UN premises must be respected. 

The forcible entry and reported seizure of UNRWA’s Kalandia Training Centre in Jerusalem yesterday is deeply concerning.

The UN, including UNRWA, and NGOs should be able to operate safely and at scale, in line with international humanitarian law.

Accountability is essential where these standards are not met.

It is right that the Israeli military will launch a criminal investigation into the killing of 5-year-old Hind Rajab, six of her family members, and two paramedics in Gaza in 2024.

But the decision to bring no criminal action over the fatal strikes on a World Central Kitchen convoy in April 2024, which killed seven staff members, including three British nationals, is unacceptable.

Their families deserve justice, accountability, and answers from the Government of Israel.

Third, on the West Bank.

UNSC resolution 2334 is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal.

We call on the Government of Israel to retract immediately construction tenders for the E1 settlement project.

These unilateral plans take us further from peace.

They will drive a wedge through the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem and exacerbate instability.

As Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said, “we will not stand back and accept the destruction of the Two-State Solution.”

We have also witnessed the tragic consequences of unprecedented levels of violence.

The UN reports that eighty Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed in the West Bank this year.

We are appalled by recent settler attacks in Taybeh, the ongoing siege of homes in Qusra, and the killing of a 17-year-old in Sa’ir. 

The Government of Israel has said that addressing extremist violence is a priority. As Qusra has shown, the current approach is not working. 

More must be done to tackle settler violence, cease actions that enable it, and to ensure accountability.

Restrictions on the Palestinian economy are also pushing it to a cliff edge, with over $6 billion in revenues withheld since May 2025, $5.8 billion trapped in banks, and correspondent banking services at risk.

This threatens public services, the banking system, and the viability of the Palestinian Authority.

Madame President, there is strong international support for full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803.

But the parties themselves must fulfil the commitments and refrain from actions that undermine peace.

They must give Palestinians and Israelis the future they deserve, where a safe and secure Israel exists peacefully alongside a sovereign and viable Palestinian state comprising Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 August 2026.

Minister for Development and Africa Kirsty McNeill MP visits Somalia, discussing political and security priorities and seeing how UK support is helping people affected by drought and food insecurity.

The UK has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Somalia during the first visit to the country by the minister for Development and Africa, Kirsty McNeill MP. 

During her visit, the minister met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and discussed Somalia’s political and security priorities and the need for progress towards a credible and sustainable transition to Somali-led security. 

The minister encouraged leaders from across Somalia to engage in constructive dialogue that strengthens national unity, advances political progress and helps build consensus on Somalia’s future, underlining that continued progress on political dialogue and a security transition will be critical to maintaining international confidence and support. 

The minister reaffirmed that the UK remains a committed partner to Somalia, working alongside Somali leaders and communities in support of a more stable, secure and prosperous future for the Somali people.  

They also discussed Somalia’s humanitarian challenges and the importance of building greater resilience to future shocks. Last year, the UK reached more than 950,000 people with humanitarian and climate resilience support. 

Visiting a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu, the minister saw first-hand how UK support is reaching people affected by drought and food insecurity. She heard how the UK is working with the Federal Government of Somalia, UN and civil society partners to strengthen systems, deliver lifesaving support and help communities build their resilience, with a particular focus on women and girls.

The minister also met leaders from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), recognising the efforts and sacrifices of Somali Security Forces and African Union troops in supporting Somalia’s security objectives.  

The UK stands ready to provide further support for Somali forces through UNSOS, which plays a vital role in sustaining Somalia’s hard-won security gains against al-Shabaab. Progress on political dialogue between all Somali leaders and on plans for Somalia’s security transition will be important in confirming future support.

Our existing support to UNSOS provides essential non-lethal assistance, including food rations, tents, medical supplies and casualty evacuation.

The UK remains a committed partner to Somalia, working with the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, United Nations, civil society and other partners.