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British MPs embark on Gaza visit | British MPs embark on Gaza visit |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A group of British MPs is due to visit Gaza to assess the effects of the recent Israeli military offensive. | A group of British MPs is due to visit Gaza to assess the effects of the recent Israeli military offensive. |
Members of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group hope to visit international aid operations, including UN-run sites, if allowed in to Gaza. | Members of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group hope to visit international aid operations, including UN-run sites, if allowed in to Gaza. |
The MPs say they want to speak directly to people affected during Israel's three-week operation. | The MPs say they want to speak directly to people affected during Israel's three-week operation. |
Israel mobilised its forces to stop militants firing rockets at its towns from Gaza. | Israel mobilised its forces to stop militants firing rockets at its towns from Gaza. |
About 1,300 Palestinians are understood to have died in the conflict, while thirteen Israelis died. | About 1,300 Palestinians are understood to have died in the conflict, while thirteen Israelis died. |
As the UK delegation arrived in the region, hopes were dashed that a formal truce could soon be announced between Israel and Hamas, after both sides announced separate ceasefires on 18 January. | As the UK delegation arrived in the region, hopes were dashed that a formal truce could soon be announced between Israel and Hamas, after both sides announced separate ceasefires on 18 January. |
The Israeli government announced that a captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, would have to be released before such a deal was struck, not as part of a subsequent prisoner swap. | The Israeli government announced that a captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, would have to be released before such a deal was struck, not as part of a subsequent prisoner swap. |
The parliamentary group's chairman Richard Burden, the Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, is leading the six-strong team. | The parliamentary group's chairman Richard Burden, the Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, is leading the six-strong team. |
'Grim' situation | |
The group has sought permission from the Israeli Defence Force to enter Gaza and, if their request is granted, they hope to enter at 0600 GMT on Sunday. | The group has sought permission from the Israeli Defence Force to enter Gaza and, if their request is granted, they hope to enter at 0600 GMT on Sunday. |
The MPs plan to stay there until Monday. | The MPs plan to stay there until Monday. |
They want to take witness accounts of what happened during the incursion as well as visiting UK-funded reconstruction projects. | They want to take witness accounts of what happened during the incursion as well as visiting UK-funded reconstruction projects. |
The danger is that people will forget as it goes off of our TV screens. But the families are still living in very difficult circumstances Jasmine WhitbreadSave the Children | |
Mr Burden's was one of the loudest voices calling for a ceasefire during the conflict. | Mr Burden's was one of the loudest voices calling for a ceasefire during the conflict. |
He later tabled a Commons motion - signed by more than 170 MPs - criticising the BBC and Sky News for refusing to broadcast an appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee for funds to provide aid in Gaza. | He later tabled a Commons motion - signed by more than 170 MPs - criticising the BBC and Sky News for refusing to broadcast an appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee for funds to provide aid in Gaza. |
The MPs' visit has been welcomed by the charity Save the Children. | |
Chief executive Jasmine Whitbread told the BBC the humanitarian situation was "grim". | |
"We think that up to a 100,000 people have been displaced. Over 90% of the population is dependent on food aid, and it'll be shocking for them I'm sure," she said. | |
"The danger is that people will forget as it goes off of our TV screens. But the families are still living in very difficult circumstances. So I think it helps to keep the attention on this." | |
This weekend, a convoy of more than 100 vehicles left the UK for Gaza, where aid worth £1m, including ambulances and a fire engine, will be delivered. | This weekend, a convoy of more than 100 vehicles left the UK for Gaza, where aid worth £1m, including ambulances and a fire engine, will be delivered. |
It was organised by the Viva Palestina umbrella group and supported by Muslim organisations, as well as the Stop the War Coalition. | It was organised by the Viva Palestina umbrella group and supported by Muslim organisations, as well as the Stop the War Coalition. |