Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to appoint a Special Coordinator for international aid to Gaza.

The UK is committed to easing the desperate and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas and supporting Israel's right to defend itself. Our support includes a £30m humanitarian aid package as well as intensive diplomatic efforts led by the Prime Minister, the former Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, to prevent regional escalation. At present, humanitarian access into Gaza is limited to the Rafah check point from Egypt. Between 1 and 2 November, Lord Ahmad visited the region where he advocated for immediate humanitarian pauses to help aid reach Gaza and for British nationals to leave Gaza. He also stressed the importance of preventing regional escalation and outlined steps towards a political resolution which provides justice and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.