Israel and Gaza

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts
Tuesday 19th December 2023

(4 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The hon. Member makes an important intervention about the humanitarian effects of what is going on in Gaza. But, as I have repeatedly said, that underlines the importance of the Government working day and night to try to deliver these pauses and then a sustainable ceasefire.

Rachel Hopkins Portrait Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

May I impress on the Minister my constituents’ strength of support on the need for an immediate ceasefire, not only because of the starvation we are beginning to see and the children being treated with washing-up liquid and vinegar, but because 93 health workers have reportedly been detained, with no information on their whereabouts or wellbeing? Will the Minister give the Government’s assessment of the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross to access health workers detained by Israeli forces?

Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The position is unclear, but the Government’s focus is very clear: it is to deliver the humanitarian pauses that we require in order to secure the necessary humanitarian support inside Gaza.