Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the statement by the World Health Organisation entitled Evacuation orders by Israel to hospitals in northern Gaza are a death sentence for the sick and injured, published on 14 October 2023.

The UK is clear that healthcare and other emergency services personnel, and civilian infrastructure including hospitals and medical facilities must be protected in conflict. We have consistently urged Israel to ensure it adheres to International Humanitarian Law and takes all possible precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure We urge the Government of Israel to allow humanitarian access into Gaza for humanitarian organisations so civilians can receive the assistance they need, including for medical purposes. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary engage regularly and closely with their Israeli counterparts on this issue.