Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Flick Drummond Excerpts
Monday 8th January 2024

(9 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Heappey Portrait James Heappey
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British armed forces are being used to deliver aid into Gaza, and they have done so to good effect. My right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary has struck up an excellent operational relationship with his Israeli counterpart, which has allowed for the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing. Again, I think that is a reflection of the success of the UK’s engagement with the Israeli Government on this matter.

The volumes of aid are limited not by the availability of military capacity—there is plenty of that—but by the availability of crossings and the ability to distribute the aid, on which Foreign Office colleagues are working closely with the UN, Israel, Egypt and others to increase.

Flick Drummond Portrait Mrs Flick Drummond (Meon Valley) (Con)
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Happy new year, Mr Speaker.

France and Jordan successfully delivered medical aid to Gaza by air last week. Has the Minister considered the viability of the UK air-dropping food and medical supplies to Gaza in the same way?