Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Middle East: Humanitarian Situation

Tuesday 26 November 2024 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government concerned about reports of reduced humanitarian aid in Gaza, with aid trucks down by 63% since October 2023.
  • UK acknowledges unacceptable Israeli restrictions on aid flow in Gaza, leading to severe malnutrition and health issues.
  • Foreign Secretary discussed global finance goals and their impact on humanitarian assistance in the Middle East during COP29 in Baku.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
NHS Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from a critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where UN reports indicate severe malnutrition and health crises. The UK has recently voted for a UN Security Council resolution on Gaza.

Question

What steps he is taking to help improve the humanitarian situation in the middle east? We have heard deeply concerning reports about developments in Gaza, including reduced aid trucks by 63% since October 2023 and an anticipated 60,000 children facing acute malnutrition this year.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

We have heard deeply concerning reports about developments in Gaza. The UK Government's position could not be clearer: international law, including international humanitarian law, must be held to, and that covers in particular the operations of healthcare workers. We pay tribute to them operating in such difficult circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments to prevent a genocide in Gaza

How: Stated The Uk'S Position On International Law

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Q2 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question follows testimony from a surgeon describing Israeli drones targeting injured children after bombings, which correlates with the New York Times report of October citing 44 medical professionals witnessing such incidents.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to prevent a genocide in Gaza? I welcome the leading role that the Government are taking in providing vital humanitarian aid for Gaza, but does the Minister agree that the ongoing Israeli restrictions on the flow of essential aid are completely unacceptable and should be lifted immediately?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

Yes, we are seeing a disturbing impact from those restrictions; we have seen it in the famine assessment and in the levels of malnutrition and ill health now prevalent in Gaza. Winter is now upon us, making the situation even worse.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments to prevent a genocide in Gaza

How: Stated That Restrictions On Aid Are Unacceptable

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Q3 David Smith Lab North Northumberland
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the severe humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, with UN projections of up to 60,000 children under five facing acute malnutrition and a reduction in aid trucks by 63% since October 2023.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the ongoing Israeli restrictions on the flow of essential aid are completely unacceptable and should be lifted immediately? We have been hearing about dire conditions, including UN projections of up to 60,000 children under five facing acute malnutrition this year.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

Yes. We are seeing a disturbing impact from those restrictions; we have seen it in the famine assessment and in the levels of malnutrition and ill health now prevalent in Gaza.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or timelines for lifting aid restrictions

How: Stated That The Situation Is Unacceptable But Did Not Provide Commitments

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Q4 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

The question stems from the Foreign Secretary's visit to Baku for COP29, where discussions on global finance goals' impact on humanitarian aid in the Middle East are expected.

Question

When the Foreign Secretary was in Baku recently for COP29, did he discuss with his interlocutors across the region the extent to which the global finance goals would impact on humanitarian assistance in the middle east?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

Yes, the Foreign Secretary did discuss those matters, including directly with Mia Mottley, the Premier of Barbados, who has been leading many of the small island developing states on these issues. Certainly, the UK is determined to play its part on humanitarian issues as well as globally on climate issues.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q5 Ayoub Khan Ind Birmingham Perry Barr
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The question references a recent ICC ruling about war crimes, highlighting concerns over the safety of children receiving polio vaccinations after being targeted.

Question

Given the ICC's recent ruling about war crimes, why are the Government shying away from their legal and moral obligation to ban all arms and all trade? Since then, thousands of children have been killed in northern Gaza. The British public no doubt want to know why we are not acting on this issue.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

The UK Government have been determined to use every mechanism to advance international humanitarian law. That includes within the UN Security Council, as we just discussed, but we have also been taking action at every bilateral and multilateral opportunity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific reasons or commitments for reluctance in banning arms

How: Stated That The Uk Is Using Mechanisms To Advance Humanitarian Law

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Q6 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from recent Israeli Knesset laws that will cease UNRWA activities on January 28th, potentially preventing aid distribution in Gaza and primary care in the West Bank. The UK's Committee on International Development is also concerned.

Question

What conversations have Ministers had with their Israeli counterparts to prevent the implementation of these laws? What are they doing with the international community to protect a UN organisation? Last week, my Committee was in Palestine and Jordan; there is huge concern that if this legislation takes effect, it will breach numerous international laws and have a catastrophic effect on the humanitarian situation.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

The UK Government have been absolutely clear that UNRWA is the only agency that can deliver aid at the scale and depth required in the middle of this humanitarian emergency. I have made those representations myself, including at the UN General Assembly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on conversations with Israeli counterparts

How: Stated That Representations Have Been Made But Did Not Specify

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Q7 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the Liberal Democrats' policy against exporting arms to Israel or Occupied Palestinian Territories, considering recent FCDO reports on human rights issues.

Question

Will the FCDO extend the number of arms export licences denied to Israel by the UK? The humanitarian situation in the middle east is made worse by arms supply from within and beyond the region. Liberal Democrats have a long-standing policy against exporting arms to these regions given their human rights implications.

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

I gently encourage the hon. Member to look at the action taken by the UK Government some weeks ago to suspend a number of arms licences. We believe that was important because of the risk towards breaking international humanitarian law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extending denial of export licenses

How: Stated Previous Actions Taken But Did Not Provide Commitments For Future

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Q8 Priti Patel Con Witham
Foreign Affairs
Context

Iran's regime is seen as a major cause of humanitarian crises in the Middle East, supporting groups like the Houthis and Hamas while also repressing its own people and aiding Russia.

Question

The root cause of so much of the terrible humanitarian suffering in the middle east today is the regime in Tehran, fuelling the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah and brutally repressing its own people while bailing out Putin's war machine, and even plotting to assassinate individuals based in the UK. Beyond sanctions with Iran—which we all support and successive Governments have put in place over the years—can the Minister tell us, on behalf of the Foreign Secretary, what exactly is the comprehensive plan to start dealing with this repressive regime that is causing so much brutality across the middle east?

Answer from Anneliese Dodds

We are deeply concerned about the destabilising impact of the Iranian regime within the region and beyond. The right hon. Lady mentioned a number of cases where we can see that impact clearly. I would also underline that the truly devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen is very much connected to Iranian backing of the Houthis. We have repeatedly raised our concerns about this bilaterally and multilaterally. We are clear that we need a strong voice as a UK Government on these matters, and that is exactly what we are delivering.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific plan to deal with Iran's regime beyond sanctions was not provided

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