Gaza: Fuels and Water

(asked on 4th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to the Israeli authorities on lifting restrictions on (a) water and (b) fuel reaching internally displaced refugees.


Answered by
David Rutley Portrait
David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 11th December 2023

We are deeply concerned about the fuel shortages in Gaza. Fuel is necessary to allow humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance, power hospitals and operate desalinisation plants. The Government of Israel must allow sufficient aid and fuel into Gaza to meet the needs of civilians. We support any action that aims to keep civilians safe and protected. The pause that took place last week for hostage and prisoner releases demonstrated what can be achieved when there is political agreement to allow more vital aid and fuel into Gaza. This should be sustained and built on now that the pause has ended.

We have urged Israel to take action to limit civilian casualties, prevent mass displacement and ensure viable safe areas. About 1.8 million people in Gaza, or nearly 80 per cent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced. However, obtaining an accurate count is challenging, especially given difficulties in tracking Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) staying with host families, movement of IDPs following evacuation orders since 1 December, and access restrictions. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This funding will help support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in responding to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.

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