- Prime Minister announces new aid package to provide food,
water, healthcare, and shelter for those affected by this severe
humanitarian crisis
- In a statement in the House he reiterated the UK’s commitment
to Israel’s defence and called for “a constant stream of
aid going in to Gaza”
- New pledge makes UK one of the biggest humanitarian donors to
the crisis and follows PM and Foreign Secretary’s diplomatic
efforts to open the Rafah crossing
The UK will provide a further £20 million of humanitarian aid for
civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), the
Prime Minister announced today (Monday 23 October).
This latest funding is in addition to the £10 million of aid
announced by the Prime Minister last week and brings to £30
million the total donated by the UK to the OPTs since Hamas’
terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October – more than doubling
our existing aid commitment for this year [£27m].
The Prime Minister made the announcement in a statement to the
House of Commons, in which he also set out the UK’s intensive
diplomatic efforts to prevent regional escalation, back Israel’s
security and support long-term solutions to the crisis in the
Middle East.
The additional funding means the UK continues to be at the
forefront of the global effort to help Palestinian people access
the vital lifesaving support they need. The funding will allow
trusted partners, including key UN agencies and the Red Cross, 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.
Speaking in parliament, Prime Minister said:
I recognise that the Palestinian people are suffering terribly.
Too many lives have already been lost, and the humanitarian
crisis is growing.
We welcome the limited opening of the Rafah crossing - it is
important progress, and testament to the power of diplomacy. But
it is not enough.
We need a constant stream of aid pouring in, bringing the water,
food, medicine and fuel that is so desperately needed.
We are providing an additional £20 million of humanitarian aid to
civilians in Gaza – more than doubling our previous support to
the Palestinian people.
The opening of the Rafah crossing allowing aid to enter Gaza came
after a series of diplomatic engagements in the Middle East by
the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary last week.
The Foreign Secretary said:
The UK remains wholeheartedly committed to supporting civilians
trapped in Gaza.
Humanitarian access must be allowed so civilians can receive
vital, lifesaving support, including food, water and shelter, as
quickly and effectively as possible.
The UK is committed to easing the desperate - and deteriorating -
humanitarian situation in Gaza, while standing alongside the
people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas. We continue
to call for immediate, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access for
lifesaving aid to reach Gazans including food, water, fuel and
medical supplies, and for all parties to take steps to protect
civilians and uphold international law.
The UK will consider further support depending on the changing
humanitarian needs on the ground. This goes beyond funding alone
and must include diplomatic efforts. The Prime Minister raised
humanitarian support his meetings with the leaders of Israel,
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Palestinian authority last
week; and 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.
The UK is also working with the Government of Egypt to advocate
for the Rafah crossing to be opened for foreign nationals,
including British nationals and staff members of the British
Consulate and their families, to leave Gaza.
