Oral Answers to Questions

Neil O'Brien Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Dr Zubir Ahmed (Glasgow South West) (Lab)]

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

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Oadby and Wigston) (Con)]

19. What steps he is taking to help bring humanitarian relief to civilians in Gaza.

[Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)]

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

--- Later in debate ---

[Anneliese Dodds]

I wish to be very clear as I think there is some confusion on this important point. Following the 2 September suspension, there are currently no extant UK export licences—I repeat, no extant export licences—for items to Israel that we assess might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. There is only one exception, which is for F-35 components, and the Foreign Secretary has explained that to the House. My hon. Friend is right to say that most licences for exports to Israel are not for the IDF, and I am pleased to be able to put that on the record for the House.

[Neil O’Brien]

The footage of children caught up in the fighting in Gaza is horrendous, and so is the footage of those who are still held hostage. First, what is the Minister doing to ensure the protection of aid workers in Gaza and Lebanon and, secondly, given that she has just told us that our efforts to get more aid in are not working, what are her next ideas? Where will we go from here, because clearly it is not working?