Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Baroness Altmann Excerpts

Tuesday 13th May 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Altmann]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proposal by the government of the United States for a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as an independent means to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

In begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interests as shown in the register.

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Smith of Basildon) (Lab)]

My Lords, it is clear that there is a desperate urgency to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. As the UN has said, it is hard to see how the proposal to distribute aid through private companies would meet the scale of the need, protect civilians, protect aid workers and be consistent with humanitarian principles. The UN and humanitarian NGOs have worked with courage and determination to deliver aid into Gaza since the conflict began. These organisations uphold humanitarian principles and can deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

I thank the noble Baroness for her Answer. It is a little disappointing to hear that she does not join me in welcoming this proposal, which should help at least 1.2 million people initially, and then up to 2 million later, to receive humanitarian aid under an independent mechanism. Does she agree that bypassing Hamas to prevent it hijacking the aid is important, especially in the light of UNRWA’s failure to do so and reports such as that from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, which shows that exploiting hijacked aid has generated at least £500 billion for Hamas’s terrorist operations?

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My Lords, the blocking of aid into Gaza by Israel has caused enormous suffering. We are aware of the allegations she refers to that Hamas uses humanitarian aid for its own gain, and we have encouraged Israel to share the evidence with the UN and with NGOs. We have not seen any evidence that there is systematic diversion to Hamas and, given the ongoing hostilities, we are unable to verify allegations through direct monitoring. We ensure that all mechanisms are in place for UK-provided aid. The situation is dire; one in five people faces starvation. Aid is available to get into Gaza now if we can unblock those routes. The surest way through is to have a ceasefire, release the hostages and get aid in now. That is essential if we are to protect and save lives.