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Israeli plan for Gaza concentration camps a 'sticking point' in ceasefire talks, says UK foreign secretary
- Middle East Eye
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Describing it as a “sticking point” in negotiations, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that Israel’s plan to build a concentration camp-style facility in Gaza could derail efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Reports in the Israeli media revealed that Defence Minister Israel Katz intends to construct a camp on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza, referring to it as a “humanitarian city”.
Critics say the facility would function more like a detention camp, with up to 600,000 displaced Palestinians forced to undergo “security screening” before entry and banned from leaving.
Speaking at a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday, Lammy said: “The statements that you’ve just described from defence minister [Israel Katz] relate very much to where the IDF are located. If what you describe is true then I think that would be a big sticking point for getting that ceasefire.”
He said Israel’s actions risk undermining recent diplomatic progress and cast doubt on the motives behind Katz’s remarks: “I’m surprised at the statements that I’ve seen from Mr Katz over the last 24 hours. They run contra to the proximity to a ceasefire that I thought we were heading towards, so I wonder if there’s some politicking going on for those within the government that for some reason stand opposed to this.”
Lammy also criticised the US- and Israeli-backed so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has faced international backlash: “We’ve been very clear that we don’t support the aid foundation that has been set up, it’s not doing a good job, too many people are close to starvation, too many people have lost their lives.”
He added that talks between Israel and UN aid agencies had appeared to improve recently, making Katz’s proposal even more troubling. “What you’ve described, I don’t recognise as a serious context in which the people of Gaza can get the aid and support that they need at this time.”
Pressed directly on whether the UK would oppose any such Israeli plan for Gaza, Lammy responded: “Yes.”
(c) 2025, Middle East Eye
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