Minister of State for Development and Africa (): Today I am updating the
House on the UK’s response to the situation in Gaza.
The UK is committed to easing the desperate - and deteriorating -
humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while standing alongside the people
of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas and supporting
Israel’s right to defend itself.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced an additional £20 million
in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza in response to the
severe humanitarian crisis.
This assistance is in addition to the £10 million of aid announced by
the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab) last week and brings
the total UK contribution to the Occupied Palestinian Territories
since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October to £30
million – doubling our existing aid commitment this year and
making us one of the largest donors.
The funding will allow key UN agencies and trusted partners,
including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and the United Nations International
Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), a number of whom have presence
in Gaza and Egypt, to provide essential relief items and
services. The aid will respond to critical food, water,
healthcare, shelter and protection needs for those affected by
this severe humanitarian crisis. We are committed to ensuring UK
aid is allocated to address the greatest needs.
The Prime Minister welcomed the limited opening of the Rafah
crossing - it is important progress, and testament to the power
of diplomacy. Sustained, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access
must be allowed so civilians can receive vital, lifesaving
support, including food, water, shelter, and fuel as quickly and
effectively as possible.
Civilians must be protected and we continue to stress to all the
importance of humanitarian access. Hamas, who have no regard for
Palestinian civilians, continues to indiscriminately terrorise
the Israeli people and the region as a whole. We unequivocally
support Israel's right to self-defence. The UK has been clear
that international humanitarian law must be followed and every
effort made to avoid civilian casualties.
The UK is at the forefront of the global effort to help
Palestinian people access the vital lifesaving support they need.
We will consider further support depending on the changing
humanitarian needs on the ground.
This support goes beyond funding alone and includes intensive
diplomatic efforts to prevent regional escalation, back Israel’s
security and support long-term solutions to the crisis in the
Middle East. The Prime Minister raised humanitarian support in
his meetings with the leaders of Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,
Qatar and the Palestinian Authority last week. During the Foreign
Secretary’s recent visit, he spoke to counterparts in Egypt,
Turkey and Qatar to work with them to push for agreement on
ongoing humanitarian access to Gaza. Lord Ahmad has also spoken
with the Foreign Ministers of Iraq, Tunisia, Bahrain, Morocco,
Algeria and the Palestinian Authority. I am in regular contact
with Development Ministers and our humanitarian partners to
discuss response and coordination efforts.
