Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to his Oral Statement of 14 November 2023 on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Official Report, column 508, what (a) aerial and (b) maritime contingencies are under consideration to help increase the supply of aid to Gaza.

We continue to work with our partners to coordinate the humanitarian response and ensure lifesaving assistance can reach the people who need it. The focus remains on land routes, but we are also actively exploring maritime options at this juncture. The Government of Israel must allow sufficient aid and fuel into Gaza to meet the needs of civilians. The UK has committed an additional £30 million of aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to support humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance.