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Gaza: Humanitarian Obligations
24 November 2025
Lead MP
Irene Campbell
North Ayrshire and Arran
Lab
Responding Minister
Mr Hamish Falconer
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Word Count: 21629
Other Contributors: 38
At a Glance
Irene Campbell raised concerns about gaza: humanitarian obligations in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The UK Government should urgently find alternative means to deliver aid to Gaza without relying solely on Israeli facilitation and ensure that the International Court of Justice’s determination is followed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition 'Urgently fulfil humanitarian obligations to Gaza' has received nearly 200,000 signatures. The situation is dire with famine conditions affecting more than half a million people in Gaza. Only a fraction of the promised aid has reached Gaza since the ceasefire, and Israel's restrictions on access continue to exacerbate the crisis.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central
Suggested releasing Palestinian prisoners to reinvigorate civil society.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Welcomed the ceasefire but noted ongoing restrictions by Israeli authorities, leading to shortages of food, medicine, and lifesaving supplies in Gaza. Asked the Minister about the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ceasing operations and the importance of recognised organisations like the UN in delivering aid.
Orkney and Shetland
Emphasised the importance of addressing settler violence and oppression in the West Bank alongside Gaza, advocating for a holistic approach to Palestinian rights.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Supported President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza and emphasized the need to work with Israel. He condemned Hamas's actions and called for cooperation between the UK, US, and Israel to ensure aid flows into Gaza.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Questioned whether the UK Government should take urgent action to ensure that Israel facilitates UNRWA aid operations as determined by the International Court of Justice.
Baggy Shanker
Lab/Co-op
Derby South
Agrees that Palestinian children are paying the heaviest price and calls for Israeli authorities and the international community to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Thanked everyone who signed the petition for forcing a debate on Palestine's humanitarian crisis. Described community-led events in his constituency raising funds and awareness.
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Asked about the plan if Israel restricts aid access and highlighted the need for larger numbers of evacuations from Gaza.
South Devon
Emphasised the importance of unrestricted aid passage due to long-term health impacts from famine.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Discussed the impact on Christians in Gaza, highlighting damage to churches and the need for humanitarian aid and economic support for rebuilding church-run institutions.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Chris Bryant highlighted that the UK is a signatory to international humanitarian law and has a moral obligation to support those in need, especially given our historical ties with Palestine. He called for more robust action from the Government to address the ongoing crisis.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
UNICEF highlights that nearly 1 million bottles of infant formula are prevented from reaching Gaza. Urges widespread economic sanctions unless aid is allowed through.
Chris Murray
Lab
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
More than half the population of Gaza are children who have missed two years of education, with 97% of schools in rubble. Schools must be reopened as fast as possible to give those children a future.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Pressed the Minister on banning trade in settlement goods as a means to put pressure on allowing unfettered aid into Gaza.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Highlighted the number of petition signatories from her constituency, emphasizing the success of British Government work with the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre.
Gordon McKee
Lab
Glasgow South
Stressed the importance of recognising Palestine to support full reconstruction.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Acknowledged the welcome ceasefire but stressed ongoing suffering with nearly everyone displaced and loved ones lost, urging measures to protect Palestinians' rights and provide aid. Discussed the urgent need for unfettered access to aid in Gaza. Highlighted the issues with healthcare facilities and education system damage in Gaza and West Bank.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Stressed the continued humanitarian crisis, noting that hundreds of Palestinians are dying daily and basic needs like tents are not being provided, urging the UK Government to impose sanctions against Israel for war crimes.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Highlights the need for immediate aid delivery, documenting 497 Israeli violations since the ceasefire. Calls for removal of Israel's involvement in peace plans as it is a perpetrator of genocide. Agreed with Helen Hayes that Israel should not be deciding what aid is allowed into Gaza and called for a way forward on education materials entry. Asked whether all acts of horror, terrorism, and injustice should be condemned regardless of the perpetrator.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Acknowledges the vigils held for people in Gaza and emphasizes the importance of support from concerned individuals across the country.
Warned about the dangers of de-Ba'athification policies and supported using local government for rebuilding efforts.
John McDonnell
Lab
Hayes and Harlington
Only 10%, at best, of medical supplies are getting through to Gaza, highlighting the need for more effective measures from our Government.
Lee Dillon
LD
Newbury
Emphasized the severe malnutrition and inadequate medical care faced by 123,000 pregnant women in Gaza, calling for urgent support from the UK Government.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Called for immediate aid delivery, restoration of essential services, and the Palestinians' central role in rebuilding Gaza.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
Discusses the severe depletion of Gaza’s healthcare system due to Israeli actions and calls for documentation of aid rejections to hold Israel accountable under international law. Agrees with the importance of UNRWA and calls for the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid, especially food, water, fuel, medical supplies. He also questions delays by Israel in allowing aid to enter Gaza.
Esher and Walton
Joined hon. Members across the House, thanked petitioners including constituents, highlighted the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza with over 70,000 deaths and a million people sheltering without basic needs met.
Adnan Hussain
Ind
Blackburn
Reiterates the need for justice and accountability in investigating breaches of international law, including accusations of genocide, and ensuring that Palestinians receive immediate relief and a future built on justice. Asked if it should be Palestinians who determine reconstruction contracts and ensure proper accounting. Adds to the discussion, mentioning the petition's popularity in his constituency and referring to it as a grassroots campaign.
Clarified that the GHF was not a proper way to deliver aid, raised issues with NGO registration provisions, dual-use items restrictions, and closed crossings. Also discussed evacuations from Gaza and urged for more unfettered access.
Poole
My constituent Louie Findlater was on a recent aid flotilla that faced drone attacks. Another constituent, John Chapman, died after his convoy was struck by an IDF missile with no formal apology or compensation from the authorities.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Weaver Vale
Nusrat Ghani emphasised the importance of a diplomatic approach, advocating for dialogue between all parties involved. She also stressed the need for humanitarian access and urged the UK Government to continue its support through aid programmes.
Pam Cox
Lab
Colchester
Agreed with the importance of restoring UNRWA’s programme in full given the conditions described by Irene Campbell.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
The ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by the United States and others, is welcome but does not address the ongoing suffering. Over a quarter of a million people are in desperate need of emergency shelters due to winter rains turning camps into swamps. Emphasised the widespread concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that it is a significant issue across the country.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
The critical humanitarian situation in Gaza requires immediate attention on medical facilities, equipment, and staff. The UK must use every lever to address the injustice of Israeli restrictions, including sanctions.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Agrees that the Government of Israel are treating the international community with contempt and calls for sanctions on Israel comparable to those imposed on Russia.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
Calls for free access to be given to journalists in Gaza to ensure international reporting resumes immediately.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Highlights the plight of Palestinian children suffering lifelong disabilities, injuries, and trauma due to the conflict. Urges the Government to bring more Palestinian children for urgent care.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Nottingham North
Asked if aid should not be at the behest or permission of the Israeli Government, and that the international community should come together. Agrees that the suffering is deliberate and demands accountability for Israel’s actions. Mentions 603 signatures from Blackburn.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Ms Kumaran highlighted the petition signed by over 1,000 of her constituents in Stratford and Bow. She spoke about the continued humanitarian crisis in Palestine, including food shortages, medical aid restrictions, and educational difficulties.
Government Response
Mr Hamish Falconer
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Government Response
The Government are committed to supporting the ceasefire and getting aid into Gaza. They have allocated £78 million for humanitarian and recovery support this year, including £20 million for water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Over two years, nearly £250 million in development assistance has been provided. Discussed the importance of proper NGO registration, dual-use items restrictions, and open crossings for aid. Mentioned the recent evacuations from Gaza and reaffirmed commitment to international humanitarian law and unfettered access to Gaza.
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Assessment & feedback
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