Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) secure a permanent ceasefire agreement and (b) implement the measures needed for post-war reconstruction in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 16 January, in the first six-week phase we expect both parties to stop fighting, and Israel to start to redeploy to the edge of the Strip. The UK will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US and regional partners to build consensus for a post-conflict Gaza governance and security framework that supports conditions for a permanent and sustainable peace. We have provided a £2 million uplift in 2024/25, through a contribution to the World Bank, to increase the sustainable supply of water and energy in the OPTs, including in Gaza.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement on the (a) presence and (b) activities of the Israeli Defense Forces in (i) Gaza, (ii) the Golan Heights and (iii) the West Bank.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The announcement of a ceasefire agreement is a moment of hope after over a year of agony. We have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 16 January, in the first six-week phase we expect both parties to stop fighting, and Israel to start to redeploy to the edge of the Gaza Strip. The UK will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US and regional partners to build consensus for a post-conflict Gaza governance and security framework that supports conditions for a permanent and sustainable peace. This government is clear that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected. The Foreign Secretary continues to raise issues of International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Israeli government. We are also clear that we must not lose sight of the serious risk of further instability in the West Bank, which is in no-one's interest. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. Israel has said its presence in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights will be limited and temporary, and we have been clear that we expect it to adhere to this commitment. It is longstanding UK policy that the Golan Heights are occupied territory and we do not recognise Israel's annexation of them. Israel's presence in the buffer zone must not become permanent.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, if his Department will take steps to help ensure that a substantial increase in humanitarian aid flows into Gaza is included as a condition within a permanent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have always been clear that a ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. We must build confidence on all sides that helps sustain a ceasefire and move it into a lasting peace. Crucially, we need to see an immediate surge of aid into Gaza, and we will work with Israel, the UN and all partners to facilitate that. As part of this, we need safe and effective aid distribution, and the protection of the civilian population including ensuring immediate access to healthcare, shelter and food. The UK continues to do all we can to alleviate this suffering. We have provided £112 million this financial year, including £41 million for UNRWA, which is supporting the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Palestinian refugees in the region.