Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in the context of the Israeli Military airstrikes on Gaza in May 2021, whether she has made representations to her Israeli counterpart on the impact of the damage to civilian infrastructure of those bombings on equitable and timely access to healthcare for patients in Gaza; whether the Government is providing support to increase access to healthcare for patients in Gaza; and if she will make a statement.

We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and clinics following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

The UK Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the importance of access to healthcare, including critical health services, with the Israeli authorities. The wounded and critically ill in Gaza should be able to access the urgent medical care they need.