Gaza: Healthcare System Support

Baroness Blackstone Excerpts

Thursday 16th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blackstone (Lab)]

My Lords, the horrific effects of the Israeli Government’s callous treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been set out by the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy, so I will not repeat them, but I do want to point to the long-term effects on children. They may escape death, but many are maimed, seriously malnourished, have been denied education because so many schools have been destroyed, and have lost close family members. They are traumatised and they will be left with permanent scars, meaning that their mental and physical health will require long-term treatment for many years. I also want to mention that the sexual and reproductive health of younger women has been shattered by the systematic destruction of primary care centres as well as hospitals. Miscarriages have trebled, as have maternal deaths. Women are giving birth with no medical assistance, no anaesthetic and no access to clean water or power. Moreover, their babies are dying because of a lack of neonatal care.

I salute the Government for welcoming the ceasefire and for calling for the entry of far more development aid to Gaza, but can I press the Minister on what the Government are doing to push for a permanent ceasefire so that medical facilities can be re-established for the long term? Will they hold Israel to account for its failures under international law in annihilating the health sector in Gaza? And what are they doing to ensure that UNRWA can remain in place to carry on its vital work in delivering humanitarian aid? Does she agree that UNRWA’s experience and expertise are indispensable in this area to allocate food, fuel, water, medicines and medical equipment, without which the health of Gazans will continue to deteriorate? Finally, will the Government commit to a leading role in restoring the Gazan infrastructure to allow its people the chance of a semblance of normal life, including proper healthcare?