Gaza Humanitarian Situation 2025-05-13
2025-05-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The current blockade by the Israeli Government is preventing essential supplies from reaching thousands of children in Gaza, leading to a dire humanitarian situation. Save the Children estimates that over 65,000 children are suffering.
Sarah Smith noted the intentional blockade of food, water and medicine by the Israeli Government which is preventing life-sustaining supplies from reaching thousands of vulnerable children in Gaza who face malnutrition and premature death due to lack of aid. She asked for decisive action beyond the E3 statement to make clear that Israel's siege must end immediately and a humanitarian aid system cannot be replaced with military control. Will he consider sanctions and cessation of arms trade as a means to address this situation?
My hon. Friend is right to raise the plight of children in Gaza and all those suffering from lack of aid and conflict. The Government have been clear that the ceasefire must be restored. Since the E3 statement, we have taken the decision jointly with partners to call an urgent session of the UN Security Council, given the gravity of the situation.
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Assessment & feedback
Sanctions and cessation of arms trade were not addressed specifically
Under Review
Considering
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The deterioration of the ceasefire agreement is causing a looming famine, putting the entire population at risk of food insecurity and potential famine. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly.
Joe Morris highlighted the looming famine in Gaza caused by the deterioration of the ceasefire agreement, stating that over 2 million people face catastrophic hunger levels. He asked for assurance from the Minister about supporting every possible opportunity to get vital resources and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. We are doing everything we can to ensure that aid gets in, hostages are released, Hamas is no longer in charge of Gaza, and a ceasefire leading to a two-state solution is achieved.
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Assessment & feedback
Release of hostages and removal of Hamas control from Gaza were mentioned but did not address humanitarian aid delivery directly
Not Addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The UN's Philippe Lazzarini described Israel as committing a “massive atrocity” by blocking aid to children in Gaza. The Palestinian people need more trade with countries like the UK, particularly for goods such as olive oil, herbs, dates, and tech companies operating in West Bank and Gaza.
Paul Waugh referenced Philippe Lazzarini's statement that Israel is committing a “massive atrocity” by blocking aid to children in Gaza. He asked how constituents can buy more Palestinian goods like olive oil, herbs, dates, and support tech companies and co-operatives operating in the West Bank and Gaza.
I know that Rochdale is home to the co-operative movement in this country, and there are many co-operatives in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. On 20 April, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority which includes pursuing further cooperation in economic development and trade.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to facilitate direct trade were not outlined
Not Addressed
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Over 2 million people face catastrophic hunger levels due to the Israeli Government's blockade on Gaza. The situation is dire with an imminent famine.
David Chadwick asked about actions being taken by UK Government to lift the blockade and secure delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting that over 2 million people are facing catastrophic hunger levels.
This Government have a clear position on the importance of aid returning to Gaza. We are calling an urgent session of the UN Security Council this afternoon. The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly made these points to Israeli counterparts.
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Assessment & feedback
Lifting the blockade was not directly addressed, only actions towards securing humanitarian aid were mentioned
Not Addressed
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Mr. Lazzarini, a UN official, stated that children in Gaza are more likely to die of starvation than violence, highlighting the urgent need for aid.
Children in Gaza are more likely to die of starvation than from acts of violence according to Mr. Lazzarini. What does my hon. Friend expect from today’s session at the UN? What specific actions will be taken that would move the situation forward? Israel cannot be allowed to continue using food as a weapon of war.
I think I was clear about the Government’s expectations in my previous answer. Those expectations are grounded in Israel’s international legal obligations. Ultimately, this is a week of diplomacy: the President of the United States will be in the region, and we will raise these issues in the Security Council. I hope that diplomacy will be able to make progress towards a ceasefire and the restoration of aid.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or demands expected from today’s session at the UN
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Gaza has been starved of humanitarian aid for over 70 days. The Foreign Secretary withdrew his assessment that the blockade is a breach of international law in March.
Gaza has been starved of humanitarian aid for over 70 days now. Ministers have repeatedly expressed disappointment but there is no evidence that Israel will listen or intend to reopen supply routes. In March, the Foreign Secretary withdrew his assessment that the blockade is a breach of international law. Will the Minister state how many days the blockade must continue before the Government recognise it as a breach of international law? To make clear the UK’s support for Palestine’s right to self-determination and opposition to annexation by force, will the Government commit to working with France towards joint recognition of the state of Palestine at the conference next month?
The Foreign Secretary has been clear repeatedly, as have all Ministers from the Dispatch Box, that it is the long-standing policy of British Governments that we do not make legal determinations. We made an assessment when we arrived that there was a real risk of serious breaches of international humanitarian law, and that continues to be our finding. Given the events that many in this House have rightly raised, we continue to make those assessments and include all those events in them. On the French-Saudi conference in June, we continue to talk with all our partners. As I said in my previous answer, this is a period for diplomacy. A ceasefire is desperately needed, and it is diplomacy that will get us through to the next stage.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how many days the blockade must continue before being recognised as a breach of international law; did not commit to working with France on joint recognition of Palestine’s statehood
Response accuracy