UK Pledges £3M Maternal Aid for Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis

The UK has pledged £3 million in new humanitarian aid to support pregnant women, new mothers, and girls in Gaza amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis marked by famine and a collapsing healthcare system. The funding will be used to deploy midwives, provide mobile maternity units, and deliver emergency medical supplies, including menstrual hygiene kits, through the UNFPA and partners like Oxfam. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the aid's impact depends on Israel allowing increased humanitarian access, calling Israel's restrictions a cause of the man-made catastrophe in Gaza. He also reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the protection of civilians and healthcare infrastructure. This announcement comes as Israel signals it will reduce aid deliveries to northern Gaza ahead of a military offensive, further worsening the humanitarian situation. The UK has stressed that without Israel ensuring safe delivery of aid, efforts to improve maternal and neonatal health will be severely limited.