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Occupied Palestinian Territories: Humanitarian Access
10 September 2025
Lead MP
Melanie Ward
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Lab
Responding Minister
Mr Hamish Falconer
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Word Count: 13669
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Melanie Ward raised concerns about occupied palestinian territories: humanitarian access in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The UK Government needs to do all they can to put pressure on the US counterparts to force Israel into allowing aid to flow freely and ensure safe passage for humanitarian workers in Gaza.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Over 63,000 Palestinians have been directly killed in Gaza, with 44% of them being women and children. There is man-made famine, destruction of schools, hospitals, mosques, homes, and almost 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank over the last two years. Aid workers are increasingly prevented from doing their job, violating international humanitarian law.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Agreed with the lead MP's case about atrocities committed against humanitarian workers and supported recognising Palestine as part of efforts for peace and urgent relief.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
Israel’s attack on Qatar shows that it has no interest in securing peace and there must be consequences for such actions.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Described UNRWA being crippled, less than 40% of food supplies entering Gaza since last July, and called for an immediate ceasefire and suspension of bilateral support to Israel. Asked if President Herzog's visit is being used to address the root causes of humanitarian aid failures in Gaza. Discussed connections with local charities supporting those in Gaza, highlighting the impact of the World Central Kitchen attack.
Apsana Begum
Ind
Poplar and Limehouse
The UK’s continued support and facilitation of Israel's actions is shocking. The Minister will ensure a statement on the Knesset decision affecting UNRWA follows soon.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
Described the situation as genocide and ethnic cleansing, questioning whether military intervention should not be off the table.
Baggy Shanker
Lab/Co-op
Derby South
Agreed with the lead MP, expressing concern for families in Palestine and calling for an end to the man-made catastrophe.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
The UK Government should protect British citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla by outlining measures to secure their safety.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
We must compel the US President to recognise disinformation spread about aid distribution when he visits the UK next week.
Winchester
Everyone is trying to understand what further war crimes will have to be committed before the Government will sanction Netanyahu and his entire Cabinet. People are desperate for the Government to use every single diplomatic lever.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Highlights that the current situation is unacceptable, with aid workers unable to enter Gaza safely. Emphasises the need for UK Ministers to address the issue at the UN General Assembly.
Frank McNally
Lab
Coatbridge and Bellshill
Supports a robust ceasefire to protect aid convoys, warehouses, hospitals, and shelters. Calls for international investigations into breaches of international law by Israel.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Asks the Minister to pursue compensation from the Israeli Government for a British charity whose children’s centre was destroyed.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Noted that Save the Children has 45 trucks of aid waiting in warehouses, Oxfam cannot bring menstrual supplies, and 508 humanitarian personnel have been killed since October 2023. Welcomed previous Foreign Secretary's statement but called for more diplomatic action. Mentioned constituents who lost loved ones during the World Central Kitchen attack, sending solidarity to them.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Appreciated the work of Samaritan’s Purse and other NGOs responding to crises, wrote to the Minister to ensure aid reaches where it is most needed, and called for hope and a future for children on both sides of Gaza. Raised links between his constituency and local charitable organisations that help people in need.
John Grady
Lab
Glasgow East
This is a moral outrage of the first order. There is a serious question when people can act with impunity without fear of prosecution and conviction for serious crimes.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Praised the Government’s co-operation with Jordan on airdrops but urged for more action regarding the humanitarian crisis. Questioned whether there is a legal right to provide aid by sea and if the Royal Navy could deploy ships off the coast of Gaza.
Kirith Entwistle
Lab
Bolton North East
The United Nations estimates that over 28,000 women and girls have been killed in Gaza. International pressure is not working, so more must be done to ensure aid flows freely.
Aylesbury
Reveals the severe personal hardships faced by aid workers risking their lives daily to deliver relief in Gaza, underlining the urgent need for an end to bombardment and safe passage of humanitarian aid. As a former aid worker, she provided insights on the importance of humanitarian work and related issues across the House.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
Stressed the importance of improving humanitarian access for people living in Gaza, highlighting that at least 20,000 children have been killed since October 2023. Called for pressure on Israel to reopen crossings and lift restrictions on movement.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Restoring an orderly supply of humanitarian aid is critical; food distribution centres run by Gaza Humanitarian Foundation face 3% deaths, which is unacceptable.
Bayo Alaba
Lab
Southend East and Rochford
Agreed with the call for more steps to ensure aid reaches the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Glasgow West
Calls attention to the necessity of comprehensive refeeding programmes and raises concerns about evacuation orders preventing aid workers from entering Gaza, citing that only 0.03% of injured children have been evacuated to the UK.
Rachael Maskell
Ind
York Central
Called for more action from the Government to ensure aid reaches Gaza, asking about plans for discussions and ensuring healthcare gets through.
Rachel Blake
Lab/Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
Called for securing access for doctors, aid workers, and journalists in Gaza. Asked how to maintain a ceasefire through international pressure to ensure long-standing sustainable peace in the region.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
Described the urgent need for a flood of aid in Gaza, with figures such as 44,000 children treated for malnutrition and 5,700 acres of land stolen by the Israeli army. Asked how to work with the US Administration to encourage Israel to open up the Occupied Palestinian Territories to aid.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Emphasised that the Israeli army killed nine children queuing for water in a safe zone, and 361 people have died of hunger. Cited leading genocide scholars and called out the UK Government's stance.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Asked the Minister about reports of violence at humanitarian aid points, whether they are from one side or both, and requested plans for discussions with US President to address these issues. Suggested using assets like the Royal Navy to get more aid in.
Steve Yemm
Lab
Mansfield
The Government have already taken decisive action but need to do more. We must get more humanitarian aid into Gaza without obstruction, and on a scale that meets this vast and desperate need.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
We call on the Government to press for full and unimpeded humanitarian access. Without appropriate humanitarian access, the Palestinian people will face catastrophe beyond the horror they already live every day.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Urges recognition of Palestine as a starting point for delivering aid, criticising Israel's disregard for international law and calling Netanyahu's actions 'mad'.
Tony Vaughan
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
We must see full compliance with the ICJ’s provisional measures, all border crossings reopened, all restrictions lifted, and humanitarian operations restored to pre-conflict levels. Made points about international law stating that Israel, as an occupying power in Gaza, has a legal duty to meet civilian needs.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Aid is sitting on the border in Jordan, but Israel is preventing its entry. The UK Government should pressure the US to ensure aid reaches Palestinians in need.
Yuan Yang
Lab
Earley and Woodley
Co-hosted an event for a former Al Jazeera bureau chief whose family members were killed in Gaza. Agreed that the UK Government should investigate deaths of journalists, aid workers, and healthcare workers.
Government Response
Mr Hamish Falconer
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Government Response
Calls on the Israeli Government to conduct independent investigations into recent strikes, particularly the World Central Kitchen attack involving British nationals. Reassures colleagues about ongoing meetings with UNRWA, MAP, ICRC, Red Crescent, and British doctors recently returned from Gaza. Discussed the complexities involved in evacuating vulnerable individuals from Gaza, acknowledged progress but noted ongoing challenges. Confirmed meetings with President Herzog and raised significant issues during these discussions.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.