Gaza and the West Bank Humanitarian Situation 2026-01-20
2026-01-20
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened due to winter conditions and a lack of aid. The Israeli Government plans to prohibit 37 international NGOs from operating, including Médecins Sans Frontières, ActionAid, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
I am concerned about the unfolding catastrophic humanitarian disaster in Gaza, exacerbated by the collapse of the Gazan health system and the suspension of aid delivery. I am shocked that the Israeli Government plan to prohibit some 37 international non-governmental organisations from operating in Gaza and the West Bank, including Médecins Sans Frontières, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council. What steps have the UK Government taken to prevent this, and what more do they intend to do?
I agree with my hon. Friend about how incredibly damaging the deregistration of vital international NGOs is. They do incredible humanitarian work, which includes providing, through thousands of staff, lifesaving services worth hundreds of millions of pounds in Gaza. They simply cannot be removed or replaced, and it is extremely destructive to prevent them from operating. That is why I led a joint statement, on behalf of 10 countries, urging the Israeli Government to allow these essential international NGOs to operate in a sustained and predictable way, and we will pursue this as part of phase 2 of the peace process.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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A UK surgical colleague of Peter Prinsley's provided a graphic description of the difficult conditions at the Nasser hospital in Gaza, highlighting access issues for humanitarian aid and bans on international agencies.
My surgical colleague Mr Rahbour, of West Suffolk Hospital, spent a month at the Nasser hospital in Gaza. When I met him last week, he gave a graphic description of the situation in and around the hospital. He is one of the brave NHS workers of whom we can all be intensely proud. As we have said, access to humanitarian aid is very difficult, and many internationally recognised agencies have lately been banned—as, indeed, I am myself banned. What further representation can we make to resolve this? Surely it is in the interests of all people in Israel and in Palestine for this fragile peace to be preserved.
I agree with my hon. Friend. We need to maintain the fragile ceasefire and to make progress towards peace and, ultimately, the two-state solution that is in the interests of the people of Israel and the people of Palestine. I, too, have heard horrendous stories about medical conditions from some of the brave doctors who were operating there, before the ceasefire, in the most difficult and dangerous of conditions. We are very clear that the humanitarian support that still needs to be surged must include medical supplies and healthcare support. Not only is this an issue that we raise continually with the Israeli Government; we are also raising it as part of phase 2 of the peace process.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The UK Government made a statement on the importance of sovereignty and the international rules-based order, but Israel has banned some 37 international NGOs from delivering humanitarian aid.
I thank the Foreign Secretary for her answer. Yesterday the Prime Minister made a welcome statement on the importance of sovereignty and the international rules-based order, yet within the state of Palestine, 37 international NGOs will no longer be allowed to deliver humanitarian aid, on the say-so of Israel. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that the UK Government understand and accept that continued humanitarian access into Palestine must be determined by the Palestinians, and that it cannot be undermined either by Israel or by the board of peace? Can she say what concrete actions the Government intend to take to counter Israeli obstructions and give proper effect to the sovereignty of the state of Palestine?
I agree with my hon. Friend about the destructive impact of deregistering NGOs. Part of the 20-point plan that President Trump set out, which Israel and all countries signed up to, was about substantially increasing humanitarian aid and support in Gaza. Instead, the current situation takes us backwards. It is significant that the Palestinian National Committee for Gaza has now been set up. I have continually pressed, in all the international discussions, that the committee should be able to take responsibility for significantly increasing humanitarian aid.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Israel is blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza while pushing ahead with illegal settlements, including the E1 area which the UK Government have described as a flagrant breach of international law.
Even during the ceasefire, Israel is blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza while pushing ahead with illegal settlements in the E1 area, which the UK Government have described as a
“flagrant breach of international law”. Does the Foreign Secretary accept that, by these actions, Israel is essentially trying to bury the idea of a state of Palestine? Apart from good words, what concrete action are we going to take to prevent that from happening?
“flagrant breach of international law”. Does the Foreign Secretary accept that, by these actions, Israel is essentially trying to bury the idea of a state of Palestine? Apart from good words, what concrete action are we going to take to prevent that from happening?
As my hon. Friend knows, the UK took the historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine in the autumn. We are clear that ensuring there is a two-state solution also means tackling illegal settlement expansion and settler violence. Alongside 26 international partners, we have condemned the E1 settlement plan and the recent steps to further that plan. I urge Israel to listen to the weight of international opinion on this issue, because it needs to be part of delivering the 20-point plan and a just and lasting peace.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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The terrorist group Hamas refuses to disarm and has forced their rule on the Palestinian people. Aid trucks desperately needed in Gaza are looted by Hamas terrorists.
The Secretary of State will well know that the terrorist group Hamas refuse to disarm—in fact, they have forced their brutal rule on the Palestinian people. Equally, aid trucks that are desperately needed in Gaza are looted by Hamas terrorists. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to make sure that the international aid that we all want to see given to the Palestinians is not looted and diverted to Hamas?
The hon. Member raises two important issues. We agree that the decommissioning of Hamas weapons is a central and crucial part of the 20-point plan. That is why the three issues that we have continually prioritised are the establishment of the Palestinian National Committee, the increase in humanitarian aid and the establishment of the process for decommissioning Hamas weapons. We have put forward proposals based on our experience in Northern Ireland and our expertise, and I believe that we urgently need to make progress as part of phase 2.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Reports suggest that Israeli security forces have arrived at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Sheikh Jarrah, occupied East Jerusalem, forcing out security guards and beginning to demolish buildings.
There are reports that this morning Israeli security forces arrived at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Sheikh Jarrah, in occupied East Jerusalem. Security guards were forced out of the premises, bulldozers subsequently entered the compound and began to demolish UNRWA buildings, and the demolitions are ongoing. If that is true, it is not only an unprecedented attack against UNRWA and its premises; it also constitutes a serious violation of international law, and of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. What consequential action will the Foreign Secretary take if these reports are true?
I would need to check the details of this specific incident. However, we are clear that attacks against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound constitute a serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. We will be raising this issue with our Israeli counterparts as part of phase 2 of the peace process.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State needs to check the details of the incident before providing a specific response.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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President Trump's messaging has intensified pressure on the UK to join an expensive and dubious Gaza board of peace. The issue is also linked to the US intervention overnight regarding Chagos.
Pressure on the UK to join the expensive and dodgy-looking Gaza board of peace has been ramped up by President Trump’s messaging overnight. Will the Government politely decline to join the Gaza board of peace while reviewing their position on Chagos, given the US intervention overnight?
That was a slightly contorted question, but the right hon. Member will know that the board of peace proposal was originally in the 20-point Gaza plan. The proposals that have now been put forward are very different from what was previously expected for Gaza, so it is right that further international discussions are under way. All those details are being discussed, and we will see where that ends up.
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Contorted Question
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Q8
Partial Answer
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A group of UN experts deemed the ban on international NGOs to be a systematic assault on humanitarian operations. This has led to 21 children dying due to extreme cold, with 7,000 tents swept away by weather conditions.
The irony is that we already have a board of peace, and it is called the UN, but President Trump is undermining it at every step. Five days ago, a group of 22 UN experts deemed the ban on international NGOs to be part of a systematic assault on humanitarian operations... Twenty-one children have died of extreme cold in recent days, and 7,000 tents have been swept away due to the weather conditions. We need to do more directly, and if these NGOs cannot do it, what are the Government doing to get tents, shelter and heating into Gaza?
Let us be clear that nothing can replace the UN or its charter. The UN is the bedrock of multilateral co-operation and international law... I have also discussed with Tom Fletcher, of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, what more we can do to ensure that support gets into Gaza, which has to be a priority for phase 2 of the peace process.
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Un'S Role
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Hundreds of thousands of displaced families in Gaza are living in torn tents and roofless homes, exposed to rain and freezing temperatures. Further storms are expected.
As my right hon. Friend has said, hundreds of thousands of displaced families in Gaza are living in torn tents and roofless homes, being exposed to the rain and freezing temperatures, with further storms due. What further steps will she take to persuade the current Israeli Government to allow in the materials necessary for more robust shelter, particularly—and immediately—for families with young children?
My hon. Friend is right to raise that important matter... We are continuing to urge the Israeli Government to change their restrictions to allow better-quality provisions and construction materials into Gaza, and to make sure we meet those basic humanitarian needs.
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Urging Israeli Government
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Donald Trump has invited Putin and Netanyahu to sit on the board of peace, raising concerns about the suitability of this body for peacebuilding efforts.
Given the utterly extraordinary news yesterday that Donald Trump has invited Putin and Netanyahu to sit on the board of peace, does the Foreign Secretary recognise that the board of peace is unfit to contribute to the task of peacebuilding? Additionally, it includes no Palestinians and almost no women. Does she recognise that it would be inappropriate for Britain, or indeed Brits, to participate in it, and what does she suggest as an alternative?
The most important organisation or network for the future of Gaza is the Palestinian committee—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, made up of Palestinians... On the wider question, Putin is not a man of peace and does not belong in any organisation with the word “peace” in the name.
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Supporting Palestinian Committee
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Q11
Partial Answer
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President Trump's messaging has intensified pressure on the UK to join an expensive and dubious Gaza board of peace. The issue is also linked to the US intervention overnight regarding Chagos.
The House needs the full facts regarding aid entering Gaza and why the Government are not more engaged with the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to support the disarming of Hamas and secure the immediate release of the remaining hostage? Following White House announcements on the board of peace, including the involvement of Tony Blair, can she confirm what UK input there has been and whether any UK Ministers will be involved, and give a clear assurance that the UK would reject President Putin being on the board, given his illegal invasion of Ukraine and alliance with Iran?
I have actually answered every single one of the right hon. Lady’s points already, if she had listened... We are working with other countries on that and will continue to do so because we think it is a priority... On the board of peace, it is different from what was proposed, and that is why international discussions are under way, and we will see where they end up.
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Already Answered
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The composition of Donald Trump’s board of peace looks increasingly like a rogues’ gallery, with President Putin now having been invited to join. Meanwhile, the Palestinians have been left out of that board entirely.
The composition of Donald Trump’s board of peace looks increasingly like a rogues’ gallery, with President Putin now having been invited to join. Meanwhile, the Palestinians have been left out of that board entirely, and it is increasingly clear that this is not about peace at all. I have two questions for the Foreign Secretary, which she has not yet answered. Can she tell the House whether Government Ministers have spoken with Tony Blair about his role, and will she categorically condemn these current plans and call instead for the United Nations to lead peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with Palestinians at the heart of this?
Let us be clear that nothing can replace the UN or its charter. The UN is the bedrock of multilateral co-operation and international law... On the wider question, Putin is not a man of peace and does not belong in any organisation with the word “peace” in the name.
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Supporting Un
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Q13
Partial Answer
Monica Harding
Esher and Walton
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The situation in Gaza is dire, with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the refusal of Hamas to allow international aid into the region. The looting of aid trucks by Hamas further complicates efforts to deliver assistance.
Aid trucks desperately needed in Gaza are being looted by Hamas terrorists. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that the international aid meant for Palestinians is not looted and diverted to Hamas?
We strongly support the role of the United Nations. Many of these points were set out as part of a UN Security Council resolution, which had widespread support. We think it is important to have the underpinnings of the UN and international law more widely, and to maintain the international consensus that we need to move to the next phase. The proposals that have been put forward are different from what was described, and are not focused on Gaza. The focus now for Gaza has to be on the Palestinian committee and on key practical issues such as the surging of humanitarian aid and the decommissioning of Hamas weapons. Our focus needs to be on the practical next steps, and we will work with everyone to ensure that happens.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific measures for preventing looting or diversion of humanitarian aid.
Response accuracy