Israel and Gaza

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The Liberal Democrats express deep concern about civilians trapped in Gaza, particularly those in the Holy Family church complex suffering from lack of food, water, electricity, and sniper fire. They condemn Israel's forced displacement of civilians against their will and demand condemnation of such actions by the UK Government.

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Tobias Ellwood highlights hate and intolerance in the UK fuelled by events in Gaza, urging for international intervention to prevent further escalation. He questions clarity from Israel about the occupation's duration and expresses concern over mounting casualties.

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Expressed condolences to Layla Moran for her family's situation in Gaza and raised concerns about civilian deaths, including an incident at a church. Criticised the ongoing conflict and emphasised the need for a sustainable ceasefire.

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Argued against the idea of a 'sustainable ceasefire' and supported Israel's right to defend itself. He emphasised that allowing Israel to finish its mission was crucial for protecting Israeli security.

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Called out the Government's responsibility to support a UN Security Council resolution aiming for a ceasefire. Asked when the UK would support such resolutions.

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Welcomed calls for a sustainable ceasefire and referenced letters received by the Foreign Secretary from Back Benchers and foreign policy experts advocating for such a resolution.

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Asked if the Minister would raise concerns about Israeli forces’ lack of fire control discipline following an incident at Holy Family church.

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Discussed the arrest of Hamas fighters and recovery of weaponry in Gaza hospitals, condemning Hamas for storing weapons in incubators.

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Asked the Minister to comment on Cardinal Vincent Nichols's account of events at Holy Family church.

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Suggested sympathy for Israel's position after October pogroms but expressed concern over indiscriminate bombing and its long-term implications.

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Called for an immediate ceasefire to address long-term issues such as Israel's occupation of West Bank and the siege of Gaza.

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We all welcomed the humanitarian pause that saw the release of hostages and aid delivery to Gaza. On 1 December, the seven-day pause collapsed due to rocket firing from Gaza into Israel and Hamas failing to provide a daily list of hostages for release as agreed. Will the Minister join me in criticising Hamas's violation of the truce agreement?

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With almost 20,000 deaths in Gaza and 153 countries voting for a ceasefire, when will the Government consider this as happening now? Will the Minister meet me to discuss ways of working with Egyptian Government and other partners to ensure aid can get from Bolton into Gaza?

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Professor Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British Palestinian doctor who returned from Gaza, spoke about the severe lack of medical supplies and use of vinegar and washing up liquid to sterilise wounds. Will the Government finally listen to global calls for an immediate ceasefire?

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Over the weekend, Israelis uncovered the largest Hamas tunnel, and there were firearms in incubators for premature babies at a hospital where 70 Hamas fighters surrendered. Does he agree that these are important reminders of Hamas's use of human shields and why Hamas must no longer brutalise Gaza’s population?

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British Palestinians have seen generations of relatives killed, homes destroyed. Have the Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary met British Palestinian families to understand how they are affected by Israel’s strikes?

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There is nothing morally courageous about arguing for those who committed atrocities on 7 October to remain in power. While some may hope Israel does not succeed against Hamas, many of us support the Government's strong stand and moral clarity.

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A group of experts, including the former chief of UK armed forces, have called for an immediate ceasefire at the UN Security Council. Can the Minister say more about what the Government are doing to convince the US to abstain on or support a resolution?

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UNRWA is looking after 1.4 million people, more than half of Gaza's population. On a visit in May, we heard that UNRWA was struggling to find funding. Can the Government ensure UNRWA receives money and aid it needs for humanitarian assistance?

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Given the release of the latest Hamas video of three elderly male civilian hostages, does the Minister agree that these innocent hostages should not be forgotten in conflict? Will the Government continue to do all they can for their safe release?

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There are horrific accounts of sexual violence against hostages, including gang rape and genital mutilation. Will the Government stand firmly with survivors of sexual violence used as a tool of conflict and strengthen their access to justice?

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If a vote on a ceasefire is brought forward today at the UN Security Council, can the Minister assure that the Government will not abdicate their responsibility and will vote for it?

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The Bibas family, including 11-month-old Kfir Bibas, were kidnapped on 7 October. Does the Minister agree that preconditions for a ceasefire must include both military defeat of Hamas and return of all hostages?

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The challenge in securing a sustainable ceasefire is not just the immediate military concerns, but also the allegations of war crimes. Can the Minister update us on whether he has identified mechanisms to ensure no impunity for those who commit war crimes?

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One hundred and twenty-nine hostages are in captivity at the hands of Hamas. The international Red Cross has not been given access, and Hamas is meeting with other terrorist groups in Turkey to plan further attacks. Why does calling for a ceasefire enable Hamas to regroup?

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Human Rights Watch and others have warned about war crimes being committed by Israel. Shouldn't the Government call for an immediate ceasefire to help prevent further such crimes?

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What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of Turkey’s role in facilitating Hamas's continuing war crimes, and how will he pursue accountability for supposed NATO allies and strategic partners?

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Is the real reason for many civilian casualties in Gaza that Hamas has used civilians as cover? Shouldn't Israel be allowed to fulfill its obligation to protect its people by eliminating Hamas?

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Given the comments from the Israeli ambassador ruling out a two-state solution, is it not time for a permanent ceasefire to enable diplomatic measures necessary for lasting peace?

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Will the UK Government urge Israel to ratify the Rome statute and become a state party to the International Criminal Court?

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Many Israeli leaders have pushed for expelling Palestinians from Gaza. Does the Minister assure that the British Government opposes any such attempt to forcibly expel or displace Palestinians?

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With death, devastation, and destruction in Gaza, how can we allow present tactics to go on unabated when there is no clear picture of how or when this will end?

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Does the Minister agree that although humanitarian pauses are important steps, only a lasting ceasefire will bring about peace? Does he also agree that Israel must want the same for its neighbour to have statehood?

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What will the Minister say more about how we will permanently end this cycle of violence? How do we get a two-state solution?

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How is the UK working to ensure that power and communications infrastructure in Gaza are restored, so we can get help and clarity for those desperate individuals?

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The Government and those on the Labour Front Bench were rightly quick to condemn the heinous war crimes committed against civilians in Ukraine and by Hamas on 7 October. The Minister has repeatedly said that Israel needs to abide by international law, but he knows that Israel is not doing so. Is the cold-blooded killing of two civilian women seeking sanctuary in a church a war crime—yes or no?

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The UK Government’s refusal to call for a ceasefire gives cover to this. How many tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians must be killed, and how many millions made refugees, starved or terrorised, before this Government call for it to stop, and to stop now?

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We do not just need an immediate cessation of fighting or a temporary week-long ceasefire like the one we had recently; we need negotiations to enable an enduring and permanent ceasefire. What are the UK Government doing to work with our international allies to enable just that?

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Will the Minister meet the professor to hear for himself about the unspeakable pain and suffering being meted out to innocent people and explain to him why this Government still refuse to condemn these heinous contraventions of international humanitarian law?

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While the Government should be leading the call for an immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire, what assurances has the Minister, the Foreign Secretary or indeed the Prime Minister had that actors in the conflict will abide by today’s UN Security Council resolution, should it pass?

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Will he help me with how two families I have can get out of Gaza: Alaa Safi, who has lost 50 members of her family, and Enas Alaloul, who have nothing to do with Hamas?

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May I impress on the Minister my constituents’ strength of support on the need for an immediate ceasefire, not only because of the starvation we are beginning to see and the children being treated with washing-up liquid and vinegar, but because 93 health workers have reportedly been detained, with no information on their whereabouts or wellbeing? Will the Minister give the Government’s assessment of the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross to access health workers detained by Israeli forces?

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Will the Minister now use all diplomatic measures, including sanctions, to compel Israel and Hamas to end alleged breaches of international law while also at last demanding a permanent, immediate ceasefire alongside the release of those hostages?

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I note what the Minister has said about no impunity for war crimes, but that comes after the event. What signal will the UN send today to Israel to say that the line has clearly been crossed, we cannot support it, and we do not condone what it has been doing in Gaza?

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Why is there not a similar statement on the advice for travel to Israel?

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That was written by the then Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in August 2014. What are the British Government doing to prevent the recurrence of the terrible violence we are seeing in another decade?

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I thank the Minister for his response, and for and his and the Government’s stance on Hamas, which are clearly a terrorist group. They are the baby killers, rapists and killers of innocent people—not just Israelis but innocent Palestinians. That is who Hamas are, and they must be destroyed. Can the Minister confirm, on day 74 of Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist murders, whether he believes that we have been able to exert any meaningful influence to bring positive steps forward for the release of the hostages?