Gaza Humanitarian Aid 2024-03-25
2024-03-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
With Gaza facing a severe humanitarian crisis, the UK is under pressure to increase aid shipments.
What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to increase the number of aid shipments to the middle east. With half of Gaza already starving and the rest teetering on the edge of famine, access to humanitarian aid is crucial.
There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. The UK, including the Ministry of Defence, is working collectively with allies, partners and international organisations to deliver desperately needed aid to the Gazan population. I have sent teams both to Tampa to work with US Central Command and to the region to help with planning and constructing that pier.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for increasing aid shipments was not provided
Working Collectively
Challenging Situation
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's armed forces are facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
What further steps can be taken to ensure that British aid finds its way to civilians in need, rather than into the hands of Hamas fighters?
That is one of the greatest challenges in the current situation. We are working with the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme, the Egyptian Red Crescent and others to ensure that aid gets to the right places. That is extremely challenging, and has slowed down aid delivery.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to prevent aid from reaching Hamas were not detailed
Extremely Challenging
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Israeli Government aims to flood Gaza with aid, and the UK is involved in facilitating this.
Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that we will work with our partners globally to get more aid into the hands of civilians in Gaza, and will assist the Israelis to deliver on that pledge as soon as possible?
I inform my hon. Friend that we have already delivered 74 tonnes of humanitarian aid via the RAF, and 87 tonnes through the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. In addition, we are pursuing land, air and maritime routes.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to work with Israel were not detailed
Pursuing Multiple Routes
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK Government has committed to building a temporary pier in Gaza for aid delivery.
What steps he is taking, along with the Foreign Secretary, to ensure that the pier is constructed as quickly as possible?
The hon. Lady will be pleased to hear that I have sent teams both to Tampa to work with US Central Command and to the region to help with planning and constructing that pier. In addition, right at the beginning of the conflict, I ensured that we did hydrographic research, to aid in exactly this kind of situation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's ability to deliver aid depends on its relationships with Middle Eastern countries.
What impact does the Secretary of State think that recent events and UK Government foreign policy decisions have had on that crucial relationship with those middle eastern partners?
The hon. Lady will be pleased to hear that the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister and I have been very proactive in speaking to and making multiple visits to the region. I have visited the majority of countries in the middle east and Gulf region to discuss exactly the points that she has raised.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact was not quantified or detailed
Proactive Visits
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK is asked about its commitment to international humanitarian law regarding aid delivery in Gaza.
When will the Government make a further public determination on Israel's commitment to international humanitarian law, given the man-made famine unfolding in northern Gaza? What steps will be taken if violations are found?
It is a pity to ask all those questions without referencing the 100-plus hostages who are still being held by Hamas, who brutally slaughtered the population deliberately rather than as a by-product of war. The hon. Gentleman asks a number of questions. I can tell him that on arms exports to Israel, an issue for which I am responsible, it is, to put it in proportion—I think, from the top of my head—just £48 million for the past year.
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Assessment & feedback
Details about public determination and steps if violations are found were not provided
Discussing Hostages
Referencing Arms Export Figures
Response accuracy