Oral Answers to Questions

Gordon McKee Excerpts

Tuesday 30th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lammy]

My hon. Friend is right. The death and destruction in Gaza in intolerable. The war needs to end now. It is also the case that, given the escalation of tensions in the region, if the Biden plan is adopted by both sides, we would see that escalation come down. For life in Gaza and across the region, it is important that that plan is adopted now.

[Gordon McKee (Glasgow South) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to help improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

[Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Ind)]

5. What steps he is taking to help improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Anneliese Dodds)]

The people of Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. Humanitarian aid is a moral necessity. Almost 90% of the population in Gaza have been displaced and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s recent assessment found a risk of famine across the whole of Gaza.

[Gordon McKee]

I thank the Minister for her answer. Last week, I met the Palestinian ambassador to discuss the heartbreaking crisis in Gaza. Since April, the volume of aid cargo entering the Gaza strip has decreased by around 50%, at the same time as hospitals remain damaged or, in many cases, destroyed. That is why I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s commitment to resume United Nations Relief and Works Agency funding and his demands for a ceasefire in the region. Having resumed that funding, what steps are the Government taking to allow that vital aid into Gaza and help those so desperately in need?

[Anneliese Dodds]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this issue. We are deeply concerned at a number of the developments he mentions. The UK is providing, and will continue to provide, significant humanitarian support to Gaza. However, we are also clear that Israel must meet its commitment to “flood Gaza with aid”—that is vital.