Gaza: Civilians

(asked on 13th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the statement by the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs that there are no safe areas for the civilian population in Gaza.


Answered by
Andrew Mitchell Portrait
Andrew Mitchell
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
This question was answered on 22nd December 2023

We are deeply concerned by the high loss of civilian life in Gaza and widespread destruction. To help alleviate the crisis, the Foreign Secretary has announced a further £30 million worth of humanitarian assistance, bringing it to a total of £60 million, and the UK has additionally delivered 74 tonnes of aid to date, but there is still more to do. We have been consistent in supporting a sustainable ceasefire, and will endeavour to continue to get aid into Gaza on a sustained basis now that the truce has ended. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have repeatedly stressed to Israeli leaders that they must abide by International Humanitarian Law and protect all civilians as far as possible, regardless of whether or not they are in safe areas, spaces or zones. The Prime Minister has also pressed Israel to ensure its campaign is targeted against Hamas fighters and military objectives.

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