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Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
17 April 2024
Lead MP
David Rutley
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
DefenceTaxationForeign AffairsAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 56
At a Glance
David Rutley raised concerns about humanitarian situation in gaza in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Earlier this month, six months have passed since Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel. The UK Government are working with regional partners to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals. Palestinian civilians face dire conditions in Gaza, worsened by the Iran attack and ongoing Israeli support for counter-terrorism measures. Despite these challenges, we urge Israel to take immediate action to allow at least 500 aid trucks a day into Gaza, open Ashdod port, expand the Jordan land corridor, and extend hours at Kerem Shalom and Nitzana. The UK has recently seen a small increase in aid truck numbers but remains unsatisfied with current levels. We have announced new support for a life-saving sea corridor, deploying a Royal Navy ship to integrate with the US pier, and providing logistical expertise and equipment worth up to £9.7 million. RAF has conducted seven airdrops delivering over 58 tonnes of food. The UK-Med field hospital in Gaza is operational, treating more than 8,000 people, mostly children. We press Israel for improved operating environments, including deconfliction guarantees and transparent investigations into aid worker attacks.
David Lammy
Lab
Tottenham
Question
Conditions in Gaza are desperate; famine has begun with sewage pooling on streets. Aid restrictions prevent distribution to northern Gaza where starvation kills people daily. The healthcare system is devastated, NGOs face blocks from Israeli authorities, and aid rots without reaching those needing it. Items are removed unexplainedly, doctors reuse medical equipment due to shortages. UN reports indicate 10,000 women killed. Israel’s commitments must be realised with more pressure; funding to UNRWA needs resumption despite UK being last major donor. Message towards Rafah is softening despite 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering there without safe alternatives.
Minister reply
Israel's commitments are welcomed but need realisation, as urged by the right hon. Gentleman. Catherine Colonna’s final report on UNRWA funding is due at month-end; we will review before making a decision. A humanitarian pause precedes sustainable ceasefire conditions.
Question
Hostages' status is key, and latest proposal rejected by Hamas. What progress can be reported? Should pressure be applied to them?
Minister reply
Government calls for immediate humanitarian pause; UK uses diplomatic channels to support international negotiation efforts facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
World’s attention on Iranian missile attack; Gaza's humanitarian crisis persists with man-made famine and threat of attack. Humanitarian aid workers face threats despite status as humanitarians. United Nations reports 40% rejection rate for what it tried to take into Gaza this week. Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses are full of rejected medical equipment in a region without operational hospitals. How long will UK send humanitarian aid while licensing weapons sales to Israel?
Minister reply
We work hard to ensure aid can come through; export licenses remain unchanged based on latest Foreign Secretary's assessment, consistent with ministerial advice, and under review.
Michael Ellis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Has my hon. Friend noticed that in the last couple of days, more than 2,000 trucks have been able to get into Gaza, including about 100 trucks in the past 24 hours alone? Three bakeries have reopened in northern Gaza, producing some 3 million pita breads daily, and food aid convoys are now continuing via the newly opened northern crossing. Does my hon. Friend accept that there have been significant improvements?
Minister reply
I am grateful for the comments of my right hon. and learned Friend. As I said in my response to the Opposition spokesman, we are pressing incredibly hard on Israel to make further progress.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Question
Airdrops, promises of harbours and promises of money to come are not even touching the sides of the problem. People are starving to death. Despite the Foreign Secretary’s optimism about greater humanitarian flows, the average is just over 1,100 trucks a week. Why are this Government not doing more?
Minister reply
I understand the hon. Member’s concerns and highlight that we are pressing incredibly hard on Israel to make further progress.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
Over the last six months, we have heard the Government beg, plead with and press Israel, yet it occurs to many of us that the Israeli Government care little for what we say. Medical Aid for Palestinians reports a famine in Gaza is all but inevitable. When will we realise that saying things is making no difference, and take concrete steps to save lives?
Minister reply
We are pressing incredibly hard to make sure that we see further progress in this vital area. We have committed £9.7 million for aid deliveries through the life-saving aid corridor to Gaza.
Question
Crossings are still not open, trucks are going in half empty, and 41% of the UN’s requests to send aid into northern Gaza are being refused by the Israeli Government. When will the Government reinstate funding to UNRWA?
Minister reply
We will wait for the final Colonna report before we make a decision on UNRWA.
Question
The United Kingdom has set up a contact group for the middle east, which aims to find a solution in the middle east. Why is it taking us so long to make a decision when our European counterparts have made theirs? I ask the Minister to ask the Foreign Secretary to set up an international donors conference for Palestine.
Minister reply
We will wait for the final Colonna report before we make a decision on UNRWA.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
Yesterday, Oxford doctors briefed parliamentarians very movingly on their experiences of treating people in Gaza. They pointed out that malnutrition is making patients more vulnerable to infectious diseases. A report released by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine projected 74,000 excess deaths if something is not done. Does the Minister agree that we need an immediate bilateral ceasefire and rebuilding of the medical situation now?
Minister reply
We call for a pause that can lead to a sustainable ceasefire. Of course, as we move to such a situation, extra medical support can be provided.
Question
Access to the north of Gaza for those providing humanitarian aid is still dire, and 28 children are reported to have died of malnutrition and dehydration. UNRWA continues to be disproportionately affected by access restrictions. Why are we taking so long?
Minister reply
We want to see the report, and then we will make our final decision.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
British doctors who have recently been in Gaza described the systematic targeting of healthcare in Gaza. A UN special rapporteur warned that Government Ministers and officials involved in arms exports to Israel should be clear that they could be individually criminally liable for aiding and abetting war crimes in Gaza. Will the Minister confirm on the record in this House, and ahead of next week’s High Court hearing, that there is no such risk?
Minister reply
After our latest assessment of our position on export licences, it remains unchanged, and is consistent with the advice that Ministers have received.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Our close allies in the United States commend Israel for stepping up the amount of aid getting into Gaza, but once aid trucks are on the Gazan side of the border, Hamas seek to hijack the trucks and use the distribution of aid as a political weapon. What assessment has my hon. Friend made of the level of control that Hamas exercises over UNRWA?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes important points, which set out why we are waiting for the final report before making a final decision.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
The Government condemn Iran for risking destabilisation in the region and sowing chaos, yet we have had six months of Israel killing civilians, doctors and aid workers; destroying almost all civilian infrastructure in Gaza; cutting off water, fuel and electricity; and severely limiting the supply of aid. That is a clear violation of international law. Will the Minister condemn the action of Israel, too?
Minister reply
We recognise that Israel has the right to defend itself and call for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Does the Minister agree that Hamas are clearly the obstacle to peace in the middle east?
Minister reply
Clearly Hamas are an obstacle to peace. Their actions provoked terrible atrocities in Israel back in October, which we find abhorrent.
Question
Has the Minister or any of his colleagues actively sought those undertakings and changes from UNRWA by contacting it directly?
Minister reply
The broader issue about UNRWA is that we are waiting for the final report and then we can make decisions.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that it is inconceivable that the money earmarked for UNRWA will not be given this year?
Minister reply
I have already said that UNRWA carries out important work and has a vital role, but the concerns about its activities mean that we must have this report.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Question
Do the Government share Oxfam's assessment of 1.1 million people facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity in Gaza?
Minister reply
We continue to be very concerned about the humanitarian challenges in Gaza and, as I have highlighted, we are pressing hard and taking steps ourselves.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that everything possible is being done with the Israeli Government to ensure that non-combatants are supported?
Minister reply
We have highlighted that with the Israeli Government, and I confirm that we are pushing incredibly hard.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Question
Does international humanitarian law mean anything anymore when the UK and the international community refuse to draw a line?
Minister reply
I understand the hon. Gentleman’s passion and concern about the area, and we continue to have grave concerns about humanitarian access.
Question
What discussions has the Minister had with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence about the use of AI in combat?
Minister reply
Too many civilians have been killed, and we want Israel to take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians.
Hayes and Harlington
Question
Will the Government make it clear to the Israeli Government that observers should be allowed to operate within the West Bank?
Minister reply
I do not know the detail of some of the earlier points the right hon. Gentleman raised, but I will welcome receiving that.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
Question
When will the Government use the suspension of arms export licences?
Minister reply
As I said in a previous answer, our assessment on export licences remains unchanged. We have one of the most robust export systems in the world.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
What specific steps has the Government taken to bring about the full implementation of resolution 2728?
Minister reply
We are urging, we are pleading and we are doing everything that we can to make our case. We are also trebling the amount of aid to £100 million.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
What are the Government doing to ensure that both Gazans and Israelis are free from Hamas and Iranian aggression respectively?
Minister reply
I agree and the Government agree that Israel has the right to defend itself. As part of our approach to enabling a sustainable ceasefire...
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
The Minister will know that his words are not cutting through. Hamas were wrong to reject the ceasefire, but what Israel does next is not inevitable. Yet the Israeli Minister for Defence on Monday evening said that Israel was waiting for aid to be delivered to Rafah and for civilians to leave, and then it would begin the military operation. He will know that there is nowhere for these people to go and there is no food elsewhere. It is an impossible choice for people. A few pitta breads will not cut it for millions of people at risk of starvation and at risk of harm from a military operation in Rafah. What can the UK do if Israel proceeds with its threat to enter Rafah?
Minister reply
As the hon. Member knows, I respect her enormously, and we have worked together on a number of issues. On her vitally important point, we want to urge restraint about this proposed military operation by the Israelis. We are also calling for restraint in response to what has happened with Iran, although notably the RAF and others were there to provide support to defend Israel from that attack. The Foreign Secretary is in Israel and the region this week to tackle these very issues and to address the points I have made.
Battersea
Question
On Monday, in response to my question about restoring UNRWA funding, the Prime Minister said that, along with allies, he was “reviewing the interim findings”. In subsequent responses to other Members, he said he was waiting for a final report, which is due towards the end of the month, on 20 April. Can we have a Government statement on Monday in which the Government set out a clear pathway back to restoring funding? The UK is the only major donor aside from the United States that has not restored its funding. Time is running out and lives are being lost.
Minister reply
I recognise the importance of the points that the hon. Lady makes. All I will say is what I have said previously: we are waiting for the report and then we will update Parliament on our decision. We need to review this report in detail.
Question
Seventeen repetitions of “We are waiting for the report” will become the new definition of complacency. The more I listen to those on both Front Benches describing the bloody, putrid sea of misery that is Gaza, the more I am amazed that both sides continue to support the supply of British arms and military components to the country that is doing all this. No one could understand that. The Minister said how hard they were trying—personally, I believe him; he seems a sincere chap—but why is it not working? If the Government are trying so hard while scrambling their jets to defend Israel and giving arms to Israel, why will Israel not listen?
Minister reply
I say with respect that the questions I have been asked are entirely appropriate and understandable given the circumstances. I have responded as best I can from the Government’s perspective. The hon. Gentleman knows from his extensive experience that the situation on the ground is hugely complex. We are working night and day, and our officials in the FCDO are working flat out. We are providing the support we can to Israel and to help tackle the destabilisation.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
I am concerned to hear the allegations made by several organisations that the trucks going in are half-full or less, which makes the amount of aid getting into Gaza by truck a difficult statistic to use. What is the Minister doing to make sure that tonnage of aid is getting to the right places? Clearly, the Israeli authorities seem to be not able to deliver on their duties under international law to get aid to the right places. What more can he do to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to do what is legally binding and right to do?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady makes an important point that we need to think not just about trucks, but tonnage. I will speak to the Development Minister about this particular issue and make sure that we have extra focus on it. We need the trucks, but we need the tonnage, as well.
Question
It is good to finally hear those on the Labour Front Bench seemingly find their voice on this issue, after tens of thousands of deaths and months of shameful prevarication, although they are still willing to sell arms to Israel. On the UK Government’s policy on arms sales, the criteria for halting arms sales does not require a legal confirmation that a breach of international humanitarian law has occurred, but only that it might have occurred. Does the Minister not consider that the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court of war crimes and crimes against humanity and the consideration by the International Court of Justice of potential genocide are indications that breaches of international law might have occurred? In any event, why are we so keen to sell arms to someone we have been pressing so hard to cease operations?
Minister reply
We continue to have grave concerns about the humanitarian situation on the ground, but those are not sufficient to undermine our judgment that Israel is committed to complying with international humanitarian law in general. We have already talked at length about the export licences and our controls around that.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Question
The Belgian Foreign Minister stated that Israel was engaging in “tactics of starvation”. Last month, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ireland stated: “The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” This month, Belgium’s Minister of Development and Co-operation stated that Israel’s use of hunger as a weapon of war was “a flagrant violation of international law”. The Israeli Defence Minister is on record as saying: “I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.” When will this Government wake up to the reality that innocent Palestinians are dying and take action to stop them dying from hunger and starvation?
Minister reply
We are working hard to get the aid in, as I have highlighted. That is critical. We are also calling out the Israeli Government, recognising that too many civilians have been killed.
Question
The world is astounded by the fact that we are having to rely on sea corridors and air drops for the delivery of aid when we know that the only way we will prevent starvation in the hell that is Gaza is through mass truck supply and UNRWA-assisted delivery. Will the Minister explain the Government’s assessment of whether the current supply of aid through trucks, air and sea is sufficient to prevent imminent famine?
Minister reply
We have seen limited improvements—I have highlighted that—but we want to see Israel stand up to its commitment to increase the total number of aid trucks to at least 500 a day and increase the capacity through the Jordan land corridor to 100 trucks a day.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
Given the horrific scale of killing and the starvation of Palestinians, and especially children, we need an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, and the Netanyahu Government must allow aid into Gaza unimpeded, rather than continually blocking it. There also needs to be a process of investigation, accountability and justice, whether through the ICC, the ICJ or the UN commission of inquiry, given the serious allegations of war crimes, but the UK Conservative Government do not presently find any of those routes acceptable. Will the Minister please highlight which of those accountability mechanisms they find acceptable?
Minister reply
We respect the role and independence of the ICJ, but, to the points that the hon. Member raised, our view is that Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be described as genocide.
Question
Will the Minister explain the rationale behind advocating a humanitarian pause in the bombing to allow medical aid, food, water and basic supplies into Gaza and then—presumably—permitting the killing to start up again? That has puzzled me for some time. Bombing civilians is a crime against humanity. Is it not time for humanity to be reasserted and for the ceasefire, which so many have called for, to start?
Minister reply
The Government’s position is that we need a pause—we need to get aid in and hostages out—and then work for the conditions for a lasting peace.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Question
May I say a thank you to my constituents who last weekend organised an Eid gathering for Palestinians in the north? When I was there, I met Gaza health and aid workers and heard lots of stories. One of them was about Nuzha Awad, a lady who had given birth to triplets. Her babies should have weighed about 6 lb to 8 lb each, but they weighed just 2 lb each and have not even developed their thighs because of malnutrition. According to confirmed reports, we know that 27 children have died so far of malnutrition. We send in RAF jets to support Israel when it is attacked, yet Israel does not heed the British Government’s warnings to get humanitarian aid in. So people are rightly asking: why are our Government so weak on saving the lives of children?
Minister reply
Some of the points that the hon. Member made are tragic and heart-rending to hear. I reiterate that we want to see change and are pushing for change, and we are taking action to ensure that more aid is available.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
When the Israeli Government are not listening to the Minister about aid getting in, why are the Government still considering selling arms to Israel? When we are pleading with the Israeli Government so much, the Government cannot accept that situation and continue to sell those arms.
Minister reply
We are working hard with the Israeli Government on humanitarian issues, as I have highlighted. Our export controls are in place, and our approach remains unchanged.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Question
The Minister says that the Government recognise the importance of opening a northern crossing, but as my right hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) said earlier, almost no aid is entering northern Gaza. The situation everywhere is most desperate. Exactly what pressure are the Government applying to ensure that routes to northern Gaza become operational as soon as possible and remain open?
Minister reply
That is part of our ongoing diplomatic efforts with Israel and our like-minded partners who are committed to providing aid and getting that in. One of the key things that Israel is committed to is that northern route. The hon. Member makes that important point, and that is one of the elements that we continue to urge Israel to stand up and commit to.
Ronnie Cowan
SNP
East Ayrshire
Question
F-35s are reducing Gaza to dust. During Pinochet’s brutal rule in Chile, the workers of Rolls-Royce in East Kilbride refused to manufacture parts for the Chilean air force and were hailed as heroes. Why would the UK Government not follow that humanitarian example and stop exporting the parts for F-35s?
Minister reply
It is because we have got one of the most robust arms export regimes in the world, and, as I have said, we need to recognise Israel’s right to defend itself. The hon. Member probably noticed what happened over the weekend with the attacks from Iran. That situation is not just important for what happens in Israel—vital though that is for those involved in Gaza—but has ripple effects that are destabilising the region, and that has global implications as well.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Question
We were told a month ago that 1.1 million people faced catastrophic levels of food insecurity in Gaza, and that we were reduced to air drops. The situation in northern Gaza is horrific, and it is a consequence of political choices. The World Food Programme has said that the area has been largely cut off from aid, and has recorded the highest levels of catastrophic hunger in the world. Twenty-eight innocent children are reported to have died of malnutrition and dehydration because of political choices. What meaningful, strong actions will the Government take to ensure that international law is upheld and all Palestinians have a right to food?
Minister reply
I have already highlighted the steps that we are taking as well as the commitments that Israel has made. We are asking Israel to step up to its commitments. It has made limited progress, and we want to see much further progress to help those people on the ground.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
According to UNICEF, one child in Gaza is killed or injured on average every 10 minutes. Yesterday, Israeli occupying forces struck a playground in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, massacring at least 11 people and injuring many more. The deputy Foreign Secretary has boasted about how proud his Government are to be supplying Israel with arms, even while it commits such crimes against humanity and has been found by the ICJ to be plausibly committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Will the Minister tell us categorically whether arms exported from Britain were used in the strike on the Maghazi refugee camp, and, for that matter, whether the three British aid workers who were killed at the beginning of the month were killed by weapons manufactured in Britain?
Minister reply
As I have already highlighted, we have strong export controls. To the important point that the hon. Member made, we have asked Israel for an assessment and an independent investigation to take place as to what happened in that situation.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
We continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages, for an immediate ceasefire, for unhindered humanitarian aid, for adherence to international law and accountability for any breaches, and for immediate international efforts for a two-state solution. On aid and international law, between 6 and 12 April, 41% of UN co-ordinated missions to northern Gaza, where famine is under way and children are dying by the minute, were denied. The Israeli authorities’ obligation to facilitate humanitarian aid is a matter of law. It is not just about access; it must also be able to get to where it is needed.
I appreciate the difficulties in which the Minister has found himself today but, again, why are the Government so ineffective in getting support? We have had months upon months of saying that things will happen, and they never do. Why have they been so ineffective and what will they do to make sure that Israel adheres to our requests?
Minister reply
I have highlighted that there has been limited progress, but we have made some progress in our arguments with Israel, along with international partners. Now we are pressing for those other areas to be dealt with, including northern access, which is a vital priority. We are pushing hard. The Foreign Secretary is once again in the region this week to address these issues.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Last week, Samantha Power of the US Agency for International Development told Congress that they it was witnessing famine in northern Gaza. Let us be honest—to the wider global population, it appears that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war, whether through the supply into the country or by intimidating the workers who should be distributing it. Does the Minister share the US assessment of the situation, and will he commit to supporting and restoring the funding of UNRWA?
Minister reply
We remain concerned about the implications of targeting civilians. Too many have been killed, and we want Israel to take greater care to limit its operations to military targets. As I have said repeatedly, we await the Colonna report about the UNRWA situation, and we will examine our response.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith
Question
Some 500 health-care workers have been killed in Gaza in the past six months. That is more than the total number of healthcare workers killed in all conflicts around the world in the previous two years. Does the Minister agree with Professor Nick Maynard, the British surgeon recently returned from Gaza, that healthcare workers are being deliberately targeted? If so, why is the UK still supplying arms to Israel?
Minister reply
I have addressed the point about arms. The hon. Gentleman’s point about protecting aid workers is important. We believe that the Israelis need to do much more to protect them. That includes the guaranteed deconfliction of aid convoys and other humanitarian workers, to ensure that they can operate safely.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
In answer to questions, I have heard the Minister repeatedly talk about pressure on Israel, encouraging Israel and hope that Israel will respond. When will he stand at the Dispatch Box and accept that for all the Government’s urging and encouraging, the situation is getting worse? In concrete terms, what will the Government do now to get aid through, to make sure that Israel lives up to the promises that it makes and does not deliver on? I ask the Minister not to give me an answer about the strength of our arms sales licence regime. How can it be morally right to provide arms to Israel that are being used in the killing of women and children and worsening the humanitarian crisis?
Minister reply
As I have highlighted, we have trebled the amount of aid that we are putting in to support those people. We recognise that Israel is an occupying power, so we have to urge and work with the Israelis to enable these things to happen. The important thing is that we are seeing limited progress. As I said, now we are pushing and pressing to see further progress in achieving the aims and the commitments that Israel has already set out.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
I hope the Minister remembers Hind Rajab, the six-year-old Palestinian girl who was trapped in a car with nothing but a mobile phone and her own cries for help while the paramedics were struggling to get to her. They and Hind were killed that day. An IDF investigation concluded that its forces were not present within firing range of the vehicle. A subsequent Washington Post investigation disagreed. I raise that case not only to remember Hind but because whenever the Israel Defence Force’s actions result in increased civilian suffering or reduced humanitarian aid—as in the killing of aid workers—the Government’s response is to call on Israel to investigate itself. Is that really the only way to ensure accountability and reduce suffering?
Minister reply
On the specific point about aid workers, I highlighted that we also want an independent review. It is important that they are protected, and we need to understand the situation on the ground. The hon. Lady highlights, importantly, that we are also urging Israel to take greater care in limiting its operations and the impact they have on civilians.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Question
Following the Iranian attacks over the weekend, we are one step away from the precipice of a regional war. The comments of the Foreign Secretary this afternoon following his meetings with the Israeli Government—that he believes Israel is minded to act—should worry us all. The British Government rightly emphasise the need for de-escalation, but do they recognise that de-escalation must begin in Gaza?
Minister reply
We need to de-escalate the whole situation and do everything we can to use our influence in that task. We have highlighted already what we are asking and urging Israel to do from a humanitarian perspective in terms of their stated aims to carry out further military action in Rafah. There is the wider area as well. We are working with our partners in the region and around the world to find ways to deescalate the situation more widely. It is multifaceted and really complicated, but we are finding ways to bring that influence to bear, because we do not want this to escalate any further.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent North
Question
Every Member of this House knows that it was that great Conservative statesman who said that all it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to stand by and do nothing. Today the Minister, who we know is a good man, must have been embarrassed. He stood there, wrung his hands and told us that our Prime Minister has pleaded with the Israeli Prime Minister. When did the party of Edmund Burke become the party of complicity and appeasement?
Minister reply
I am not sure that the question deserves an answer. We have already highlighted cross-party that these situations are complex. We are working incredibly hard with all our partners—I think that is recognised by the Opposition Front-Bench team. It is challenging, but please let us not lower the tone in that way.
Question
Currently, 1.1 million civilians are at risk of starvation due to the Israeli aid blockade. The UK Government’s incoherent position is that rather than call out Israel, they are urging and pleading Israel to change tack, while still selling arms to Israel and withholding funding to UNRWA. What is making the UK Government wait for the final Colonna report before restoring funding?
Minister reply
We have made it clear that we want to see the full report, and then we will make a decision.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Between 6 and 12 April, 41% of UN co-ordinated aid missions to northern Gaza were impeded or denied access. Does the Minister really think that less than 60% of aid getting in is an acceptable rate? Does that really show the Government’s diplomatic efforts to be successful?
Minister reply
We are seeing some success enabling and encouraging Israel to allow more trucks in. As I said, it is limited progress but it is progress. Clearly, a lot more needs to be done. We are working with our partners to make sure we can do that.
Question
Testimony from an Israeli intelligence officer reveals that IDF soldiers were authorised to kill 20 uninvolved civilians for a single Hamas operative. Israel is frequently in breach of the principle of proportionality and, frankly, UK diplomacy is not working. What will it take for the Government to admit finally that Israel is breaching international humanitarian law and to cease arms sales?
Minister reply
We have talked about this a number of times in this urgent question in our responses. We have grave concerns about the humanitarian access, but that is not sufficient to undermine our judgment that Israel is committed to complying with IHL in general.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Question
Last week, Samantha Power, the administrator of USAID, told Congress that northern Gaza is now experiencing famine and that almost no aid is entering northern Gaza. Does the Minister agree that the situation is intolerable and unacceptable? What exactly are the Government doing to make sure that it changes urgently?
Minister reply
The situation is incredibly challenging. As I have said already in answer to an earlier question, one of the commitments Israel has made is about access in the north. We continue to urge Israel to live up its commitments, so that aid can come in from the north, as well as there being more aid more generally, to help those on the ground in Gaza.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Jim Henderson from Cornwall served in the Royal Marines for seven years before working in Gaza. The aid convoy he was supporting was travelling from the north. It is understandable that the death of Jim and his fellow Brits should have seized our attention here at home and led to an investigation by the IDF, but the UN Secretary-General said a fortnight ago that the death of all 196 aid workers killed in Gaza in the past six months should be subject to independent investigations. Does the Minister agree?
Minister reply
I have already highlighted how important it is that we urge Israel to do much more to protect aid workers. We want to make sure there is a guaranteed deconfliction of aid convoys, and we need to do other humanitarian work to help.
Michael Shanks
Lab
Rutherglen
Question
The Minister has said on a number of occasions today how complex the humanitarian situation is on the ground. UNRWA is the aid agency with most of the logistical and organisational network to deliver in that situation. Will the Minister commit to publishing it in full? Will the discussions he says he is having with allies on what should happen next be published, so we know what is holding back the UK and why it is the last country not to fund UNRWA?
Minister reply
The thing holding us back from signing off our approach is seeing the report. That is what we need to wait for. It is coming very, very soon and we will be responding to it in full.
Question
The director-general of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, has talked about the devastating destruction of Gaza’s hospitals, and the dead bodies still being removed from the ruins of Al-Shifa Hospital. Will the United Kingdom fund the WHO and other charities on the ground in Gaza to rebuild the shattered hospitals that have been destroyed under Israeli bombardment? Will he deliver the ceasefire necessary to allow that construction to happen?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady makes a characteristically thoughtful and important point about reconstruction. Our immediate approach now is about the pause and getting aid in. That has to be the top priority right now. Then, as we look forward, let us get the conditions in place to have a sustainable ceasefire. As part of that, we can work through how that reconstruction will take place.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
The mother of James Kirby is my constituent. The family want answers. Given the attacks on healthcare workers mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith, as well as the attacks on people trying to deliver food aid, will he explain what the pleas for guaranteed deconfliction actually mean?
Minister reply
I also pay tribute, as the hon. Lady has, to James Kirby. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. The work we are doing to raise that point with Israel is important. We want to find ways to ensure that we deconflict aid convoys. I think Israel recognises that there are challenges there.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Last week I had occasion to be in Israel and visited some of the kibbutzim where innocent Jewish people were murdered, and the Nova music festival where over 1,000 young people were murdered. What discussions have taken place about opening wider channels to allow medical aid in and ill people out?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for his comments. He is right to highlight the role of Hamas. We are working collectively to figure out how we can best address the situations. Medical supplies are key and we will be providing them.
Shadow Comment
David Lammy
Shadow Comment
Conditions in Gaza are desperate; famine is taking hold, sewage pools on the streets, and water supply remains off. Aid restrictions prevent distribution to northern Gaza where starvation kills people daily. The healthcare system has collapsed. NGOs face blocks from Israeli authorities with items removed without explanation and reused medical equipment due to shortages. Despite UN Security Council demands for unfettered aid flow, recent figures show more aid went in some days in January than yesterday. Questions include Israel’s commitment compliance, UK resumption of funding to UNRWA, and softening message towards Rafah. An immediate ceasefire is crucial for ending the war, freeing hostages held by Hamas, and allowing a surge of aid into Gaza.
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