The UK has pledged an additional £19 million in funding for Gaza, bringing the total committed for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to £99 million. This funding includes support for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Food Programme. Development minister Anneliese Dodds is set to travel to the region to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and visit a refugee camp in the West Bank, before heading to Israel to meet with officials and call for aid to reach Gaza. The UK government continues to advocate for the release of UK and UK-linked hostages in Israel.
Ms. Dodds described the situation in Gaza as ‘catastrophic’ and emphasized the urgent need for food and shelter as winter approaches. She will attend the Cairo conference to discuss real-world solutions to the humanitarian crisis. The UK remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities in the region, pledging additional funding for UNRWA and supporting Palestinian Authority reforms. Ms. Dodds will urge Israel to ensure unimpeded access for aid into Gaza and emphasize the importance of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. The UK has also granted licenses for military goods exports to Israel, totaling £60 million in 2022 and 2023.
A Bellingcat investigation uncovered systematic and widespread destruction of civilian housing and infrastructure in Gaza, referred to as ‘domicide’ by the UN’s Special Rapporteur. Dr. Andreas Krieg from King’s College London confirmed the credibility of the investigation, noting the randomness with which the IDF has been using destructive force against buildings cleared of Hamas forces. The report highlights Israeli policies of destroying infrastructure suspected of having ties to Hamas or public service in Gaza. It emphasizes the need for Israel to allow unimpeded aid access to Gaza and calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The UK’s commitment to supporting the region’s most vulnerable communities remains a top priority, with a focus on providing aid and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ms. Dodds will engage with key stakeholders in Israel and the OPTs to discuss the removal of impediments to aid access and the importance of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. The government continues to advocate for the release of hostages and address the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza. The Bellingcat investigation sheds light on the widespread destruction and underscores the need for immediate action to address the crisis in Gaza.
As the UK pledges additional funding and continues to advocate for the release of hostages in Israel, the international community remains focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Bellingcat investigation highlights the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, drawing attention to the need for Israel to allow unimpeded access for aid. Ms. Dodds’ upcoming trip to the region will provide an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and call for concrete actions to address the crisis. The UK government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and finding lasting solutions to the conflict will be a key focus of discussions during the visit.
