British Palestinians have issued a call to the UK Government, urging it to apply pressure on Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, where dire conditions have left many starving.

The organization, representing approximately 20,000 Palestinians residing in the UK, is calling for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take a firmer stance against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, advocating for comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.

The appeal follows the decision by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group to pause food deliveries across three distribution points in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

This disruption followed reports from health officials indicating that dozens of Palestinians had lost their lives in shootings near these sites.

Israel's military, which implemented a blockade on Gaza in March, stated that it had fired at individuals it labeled as suspects approaching its forces while ignoring warning shots.

Israel's military has indicated it is examining reports concerning civilian casualties and has attributed the deaths of civilians to Hamas, asserting that the group is operating within densely populated areas.

Wafaa Shamallakh, an Arabic interpreter employed by Kingston Council, recounted the perils her relatives in southern Gaza face in their pursuit of aid.

Shamallakh narrated the hardships her family endures, highlighting the chaotic environment at aid distribution points where crowds gather amid military presence.

She reported that her family lives in tents without insulation, electricity, or running water, resorting to cooking over open fires and scavenging for wood in bombed buildings.

British Palestinians are demanding an end to all military cooperation with Israel and a full arms embargo.

The situation described by Shamallakh is representative of broader experiences faced by many Gazans, who have been forced to relocate multiple times due to ongoing conflict.

Reports claim that families are sharing minimal food supplies, with some only able to afford basic sustenance like lentil soup and bread.

Ali Mousa, a Manchester resident, expressed deep concerns for his sister, a teacher in Gaza, noting the pervasive fear and sense of helplessness among those with loved ones in the conflict zone.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister Starmer articulated the urgent need for aid to reach Gaza swiftly, calling the current situation "utterly intolerable." He emphasized that achieving a ceasefire is crucial for the facilitation of humanitarian efforts.

Further complicating the situation, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that the Israeli government has "activated" certain local clans of Palestinians in Gaza as a strategy against Hamas, following advice from security officials.

Critics, including political opponents, have raised alarms about the risks associated with arming unofficial Palestinian groups.

At an international level, the UK backed a UN Security Council resolution advocating for the lifting of Israeli restrictions on aid; however, the proposal was vetoed by the U.S., as it did not incorporate calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas or condemn the group's actions on October 7, 2023. This stance reflects the ongoing geopolitical complexities surrounding the conflict, particularly in light of humanitarian needs and regional security dynamics.