Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Ayoub Khan Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Doughty]

I thank my hon. Friend for conveying so powerfully the views of his constituent. It is those direct connections that we often hear about so passionately in our constituencies. Indeed, in my own surgeries in Cardiff South and Penarth I have had individuals who have family in Gaza, and I know humanitarian workers who have worked there as well.

Airdrops are an extraordinarily complex logistical operation to pull off. The best way to get aid in is by reopening those crossing points and making sure that there are no restrictions on dual use. That would have the maximum impact that we want. I could not have been clearer: Israel ultimately has the responsibility. As the occupying power, it has the legal and moral responsibility to allow in this lifesaving aid. We urge it to do so.

[Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr) (Ind)]

We watched this genocide with more than 64,000 Palestinian children murdered and maimed by the 2,000 bombs that rained on their heads. We watched this genocide while Palestinian children were murdered through starvation while piles of food sat a few hundred metres away. We watched this genocide while Palestinian children were butchered by Israeli snipers, drones and tanks. Here we are again, for the fourth winter, watching this genocide while Palestinian children are being drowned by sewage-filled rainwater. Does the Minister agree that we, the UK, have a legal and moral obligation to help, and can he confirm that all options are on the table, including naval assets in the region ready to help to ensure that we stop watching and start acting?

[Stephen Doughty]

We are acting, we have been acting, and we will continue to act. I am proud of the fact that we had already pre-positioned support and resources with some of the organisations that can make the difference on the ground. That has been making a difference, but there needs to be much, much more. That is why I have today announced the additional £5 million of funding to UNICEF.