Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterparts on the immediate release of Palestinian healthcare workers currently being detained without charge or trial.

Gazan civilians must be protected, and able to access effective healthcare. The UK has consistently raised concerns about the impact of this conflict on Gaza's healthcare system and medical staff, including reiterating the requirement for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed. On 27 December I made clear to Israel's government that the situation in northern Gaza cannot continue, and raised our serious concern about repeated strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital, and the safety of civilians and medical workers there. The Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

We are particularly concerned by the reports of the recent Israel Defense Forces operation at Kamal Adwan hospital, and the reported detention of medical personnel there. We have raised this, and will continue to do so, directly with the Israeli Government. In recent weeks, I have specifically raised the detention of Kamal Adwan hospital director, Dr Hassam Abu Safiya, along with the wider need to ensure healthcare facilities in North Gaza are protected, and to enable World Health Organisation and International Committee of the Red Cross access, with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's Ambassador to the UK. We urge Israel to urgently clarify the reasons for Dr Hassam Abu Safiya's detention (and that of paediatrician Mohammed Hamouda), and all other health workers detained in Gaza.