Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

Marsha De Cordova Excerpts
Monday 4th December 2023

(11 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Marsha De Cordova Portrait Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)
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We know that more than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed, 70% of whom are women and children, and there are still thousands unaccounted for under the rubble. The events of the last two days demonstrate that a pause in fighting was never going to be sufficient. I ask the Minister what on earth it will take for his Government to call for a permanent ceasefire on all sides in order to prevent the bombardment of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including not only its hospitals and schools—or what is left of them—but its water facilities.

Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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The hon. Lady is correct that the pause was not sufficient to meet all the humanitarian needs. That does not stop us arguing for a further pause, because of course that is the first step to a more sustainable path towards peace.