Andrea Leadsom Issues Statement on Situation in Gaza

Situation in Gaza update:

I fully share the strength of feeling of so many regarding the terrible situation in Gaza. To try and address the many different concerns raised with me, I have written this update to inform constituents of the current Government stance and what is being done to end this horrific situation. 

A tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians in Gaza are experiencing a humanitarian disaster. My thoughts are with all those whose lives have been so horribly affected.

The UK Government is driving diplomatic efforts to achieve an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. Therefore, as you may know, the United Kingdom voted for an immediate and sustained ceasefire at the UN Security Council to protect civilians, allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and alleviate suffering. 

These are several vital steps that we need to see, including the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. The international community will also need to make a massive effort to deliver a reconstruction plan for Gaza.

There must be a reduction in civilian casualties and all parties must act within international humanitarian law. I agree with the Government that we want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes. 

As you will know, there is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. The Government is getting on with aid delivery, funding multiple implementing partners including other UN agencies and international and UK NGOs. 

The UK Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £10 million in aid spending for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), bringing UK support to more than £100 million in the financial year 2023/24. The UK has trebled its aid commitment to the OPTs, and funding has supported partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme and the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to deliver vital supplies.

Indeed, I wholeheartedly welcome that more than 2,000 tonnes of food aid – the UK’s largest delivery of aid to Gaza thus far – crossed the border on 20 March, and is being distributed by the WFP on the ground. This adds to the 150 tonnes of UK-funded relief items including blankets and tents, which arrived on 13 March, and will be distributed by UNICEF. A full UK field hospital run by UK-Med has also arrived in Gaza and is now operational and providing life-saving care.

Further, I am aware that many of my constituents are concerned about arms exports to Israel. The UK Government takes its export control responsibilities extremely seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available.

Licence decisions take account of prevailing circumstances at the time of application and include human rights and international humanitarian law considerations. Export licenses are not issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the consolidated criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used for a serious violation of international law.

I will continue to follow developments closely and consider the views of all of my constituents carefully.