Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support humanitarian organisations in (a) Gaza and (b) Lebanon to prepare for winter.

The UK is committed to alleviating humanitarian suffering in both Lebanon and Gaza, particularly with the arrival of winter. The Foreign Secretary, together with his French and German counterparts, has written to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar to urge Israel to ensure sufficient aid, including vital medical treatment, reaches civilians in Gaza. Minister Dodds also raised aid restrictions in her meetings with Israeli interlocutors during her recent visit to the region, including with Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel. I raised this issue with Minister Haskel on 05 December and met with Mr Philippe Lazzarini, the UN's Commissioner-General of UNWRA in Doha on 08 December. The UK has announced £112 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories so far this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank delivered through partner agencies. Additionally, we have provided £46 million in support to Lebanon, of which £15 million is additional funding to respond to the widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare.