Many constituents have written to me since the beginning of October about the situation in the Levant. This is a deeply emotive issue amongst residents.
There has naturally been a great deal of concern for the well-being of the innocent people in Gaza who are facing displacement as Israel seeks to free the hostages taken by Hamas. Since the beginning of the conflict, I have recognised the urgent need for increased humanitarian support and the protection of civilian lives.
Our armed forces are doing exceptional work in the region to ensure that aid can be delivered into Gaza by land, sea and air. In today’s oral questions to the Secretary of State for Defence, I pressed the Minister on what more we can be doing to ensure the free flow of aid that reaches civilians in need rather than hostile Hamas fighters.
The Secretary of State assured me that he recognises the importance of this challenge. I understand that in order to protect the delivery of aid, the UK Government is working with the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme, the Egyptian Red Crescent and others.
