Oral Answers to Questions

Neil O'Brien Excerpts

Tuesday 12th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

21. What recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Israel on the situation in Gaza.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough) (Con)]

22. What steps he is taking to support civilians in Gaza.

[Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD)]

23. What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Mitchell]

Of course, the position of the American Defence Secretary is exactly the position of the British Government, and that is why we say at all points that everyone must adhere international humanitarian law.

[Neil O’Brien]

The whole House is appalled by the atrocities committed by Hamas, but also by the civilian suffering in Gaza. Will my right hon. Friend set out the steps he is taking to relieve civilian suffering, and also the steps he is taking against illegal settlements and the actions of violent settlers, because they are an obstacle to the two-state solution and to a lasting and just peace?

[Mr Mitchell]

On the first part of my hon. Friend’s question, I can tell him that we have delivered 74 tonnes of aid to el-Arish, which we are trying to make sure gets in. On specific relief, I can inform the House that 100 trucks and 120,600 litres of fuel did get across the border into Rafah yesterday. It is nothing like enough, but there was some progress yesterday.