BRITISH Palestinians called on the government and public today to take urgent action to stop Israel’s starvation of their families in Gaza.

At a press conference in London, joined by Palestinians and aid workers speaking live from Gaza, British Palestinians gave emotional testimonies of conversations with loved ones in the besieged territory.

Among them were siblings Ali and Hend Mousa.

Mr Mousa, in central London, told his sister, who joined by video link: “We are here for you, and we will never leave you, even if the whole world does.”

Ms Mousa, a teacher and mother of three, said: “Every night, before I sleep, I ask myself: is it a sin or a curse that I was born here?

“If so, I deliver my next question to every human being in this world who still has some sense of humanity: what should we do to atone for this sin or expel this curse?

“Why should we pay with our lives, our children’s lives, our safety, our food, our mental and physical health as a tax [just] for being Gazans?”

She said the world had been watching their suffering unfold “live-streamed for more than 600 days,” adding: “Offers and statements are thanked and welcomed, but I’m sorry to say that they are by far not enough to stop this genocide.

“The [British public must urge] your government to stop this genocide by stopping the funding of the zionist killing machines.”

Other speakers described the daily struggles faced by children, families and aid workers attempting to care for communities under increasingly dire conditions.

“People are simply exhausted,” says British-Syrian Dr Mustafa Alachkar, working in Gaza with Medical Aid for Palestinians. “The people of Gaza have been dehumanised in every way, so that their lives have been reduced to mere survival.

“As a British citizen, I call upon the UK government to declare clearly that what is happening in Gaza is genocide, and to stop all arms sales to Israel.

“The UK government must clearly demand a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

“More urgently, though, the UK government must put pressure on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza, to restore humanitarian access and uphold the principles of humanity and justice.”

Plastic surgeon Dr Rossel Mohrij, who has volunteered in Gaza twice since Israel’s assault began, gave harrowing testimony of the conditions faced by healthcare workers.

She said they had to operate without basic supplies like anaesthetics or antibiotics, adding: “The choices we faced as surgeons were unbearable.”

Describing the aftermath of an airstrike on Nasser Hospital, she added: “I went to the emergency department to help. What came in that night is beyond anything I've ever seen.

“I will carry it with me forever — a flood of the dead, dying, dismembered. People searching through faces, through limbs, looking for their loved ones.

“Children too stunned to cry, too shattered to speak, staring at their missing body parts.”

British Palestinian Committee director Dr Sara Husseini said: “This is a man-made, engineered, forced starvation.

“This issue is not about humanitarian aid not reaching people as a result of a flood or an earthquake.  

“It’s about Israeli forces deliberately blockading Gaza, blocking basic goods so that people can’t even buy food.

“Despite all this, Britain continues to licence arms sales to Israel — effectively enabling genocide.”

Dr Husseini said that the British government “is not a bystander, it's an active participant.”

“Through ongoing military support, diplomatic cover and economic relations, the British government is enabling Israel’s actions.

“A week ago, a UK trade official was sent to Israel to deepen economic ties — days after [Foreign Secretary] David Lammy claimed trade negotiations were frozen.

“That sends a chilling message: business as usual, despite the death toll and mounting evidence of war crimes.

“British Palestinians and the wider public demand accountability and immediate action.”

Labour MP Steve Witherden echoed those calls, and said that the government is “failing in both its legal and moral obligations.”

Mr Witherden said he would write to Mr Lammy demanding answers over “glaring discrepancies” between his recent statements and the latest arms licensing data.

“Though voices in Parliament speaking out may be few, they are loud, clear and mighty,” he said.

“We will continue to expose this complicity, demand accountability, and fight for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.”