Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Israel, Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Humanitarian Access and Human Rights

Tuesday 24 October 2023 · 12 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister talks daily with UN OCHA chief and attended a meeting convened by USAID head.
  • Foreign Secretary works with international counterparts to highlight rules of war.
  • Prime Minister stated clear policy to protect children in Gaza.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Foreign Affairs
Context

UK is concerned about the accessibility of Gaza by humanitarian organisations.

Question

I am concerned about the diplomatic steps being taken to help ensure that humanitarian organisations have access to Gaza. What specific measures are in place?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

I talk to Martin Griffiths, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, almost every day, and on Friday I attended a meeting with development Ministers convened by Samantha Power, the head of the United States Agency for International Development.

Partly answered
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Q2 Deidre Brock SNP
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns about the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Question

How are Foreign Secretary and his Ministers working with international counterparts to prevent any deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

By drawing all parties' attention to the international rules of war.

Not addressed: No specific actions or commitments were provided.

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Children & Families
Context

Children are writing their names on their hands to be identified after death, and over 2000 have been killed.

Question

Children in Gaza have begun writing their names on their hands so that they can be identified and buried with their families when they are killed. What action is being taken to prevent more children from being harmed?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The Prime Minister set out yesterday very clearly what our policy is. We are doing everything we can to protect children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures were detailed.

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Q4 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

Trucks at the Rafah crossing are welcome but insufficient to avert humanitarian catastrophe.

Question

Why is fuel not being allowed through Rafah crossing despite urgent need for desalination plants, generators, and other critical infrastructure?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The hon. Lady is entirely right that the Rafah crossing is currently the only way we can get food and relief supplies in.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No reasons provided for fuel restrictions.

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Q5 Martyn Day SNP
Ukraine
Context

The level of civilian suffering and calls for a ceasefire are increasing due to ongoing conflict.

Question

What level of civilian suffering will it take before the Government backs calls for a ceasefire?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The hon. Gentleman sets out the tremendous suffering that is happening, but he, like me, will agree with the Prime Minister that the source of this was the appalling terrorist, murderous action by Hamas.

How: Blaming Hamas For The Conflict

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Q6 Kate Hollern Lab
Ukraine
Context

UN estimates that about 160 women give birth daily in Gaza, with lives of at least 120 newborns in incubators at risk.

Question

Will the Secretary of State listen to calls for a ceasefire to ensure delivery of aid and release of hostages?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

On delivering aid and support, I had the opportunity to meet a very large number of the British charities and non-governmental organisations that are trying to help in Gaza.

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Q7 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Foreign Affairs
Context

UN experts have warned that Israeli military strategy could lead to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

Question

Can the Minister tell us more on what the Government are doing to support independent investigations and the International Criminal Court?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The answer to the hon. Lady's perfectly proper question is that international and legal organisations all around the world will be looking at this and giving their opinions.

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Q8 Mary Robinson Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concern about Hamas diverting and misusing aid for terrorist purposes.

Question

What steps can we take to ensure that much-needed aid gets to the people in need rather than being diverted by Hamas?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

My hon. Friend is quite right to warn about the proper use of aid. I can tell her that this is probably the most scrutinised programme of humanitarian relief and support that Britain has.

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Q9 Stephen Crabb Con
Context

UNRWA has documented instances where Hamas compromised operations by diverting or misusing aid.

Question

What assurances can my right hon. Friend give that aid will be targeted correctly and reach those who need it?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

My right hon. Friend is right that UNRWA operates in difficult circumstances, but I can tell him that we talk to it all the time about the proper use of these resources and we will do everything we can always to make sure that they go to the intended place.

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Q10 Sara Britcliffe
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UN has stated that at least 100 trucks of aid are needed daily in Gaza, but the current number is inadequate.

Question

My constituents in Hyndburn and Haslingden and I thank the Foreign Secretary for all the work he is doing to ensure that aid is getting to Gaza. We know that the UN has stated it needs at least 100 trucks a day to take the aid to those who desperately need it. Can my right hon. Friend set out what conversations he is having with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts to make sure that this aid gets where it needs to be?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell (Foreign Secretary)

Foreign Office officials, the Foreign Secretary and others are talking to all the relevant authorities in Egypt and Israel. The key thing is to increase the number of lorries that are getting through Rafah. My hon. Friend will understand that the current number is wholly inadequate. I talk to Martin Griffiths virtually every day about the operations that the UN is conducting to try to beef up that number.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions or timelines with Israeli and Egyptian authorities beyond general statements of ongoing discussions.

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Q11 Crispin Blunt Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Prime Minister promised to challenge actions that undercut legitimate aspirations for Palestinian statehood, but concerns remain about the impact of Jewish settlers on a two-state solution.

Question

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said we would finally challenge actions that undercut legitimate aspirations for Palestinian statehood. There are none more fundamental than 57 years of breaches of the fourth Geneva convention by the illegal occupation of territories and 750,000 Jewish settlers being placed in those territories making a two-state solution very difficult. Are we actually now going to do something about that? Is my right hon. Friend concerned that a meaningful resolution could include transferring Gaza out of Israel's hands into another state system, potentially leading to the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell (Foreign Secretary)

My hon. Friend has a long-standing and principled view on these matters. I do not share his view and nor do the Government. Nor do I think that the latter part of his question and the specific points he made are likely to come about.

Not addressed: Did not address whether action would be taken or if there were concerns regarding potential transfers or expulsions.

How: Did Not Share View, Views Unlikely To Come About

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Q12 Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan
NHS Foreign Affairs Environment
Context

Incubators have been switched off, children are drinking dirty water, and several hospitals have been hit or warned to evacuate. Fresh water and power are urgently needed.

Question

May I take this opportunity to thank the Minister of State for Development and Africa for the constructive cross-party way we have worked together since I was appointed in such grim times? Incubators have been switched off, children are drinking dirty water, fresh water and power are the most pressing issues. Despite shared hopes for progress, fuel was not permitted in convoys entering Gaza while several hospitals were hit or given warnings to evacuate. Can he share what the Government is doing to help broker an agreement protecting hospitals and getting fuel into Gaza so international law is upheld?

Answer from Andrew Mitchell (Foreign Secretary)

First, I welcome the hon. Lady to her new position. It is one of the best jobs in opposition and government. We are having humanitarian discussions with everyone intent on getting humanitarian supplies to those who need them. Attacking a hospital is a war crime; we should be clear about that.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or plans for protecting hospitals and ensuring fuel delivery, instead focusing on general principles.

How: Welcomed To Position, General Statements

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