Gaza: Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk to the safety of health workers in Gaza; and what steps he is taking to help protect those workers.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. Gazan civilians must be protected, and able to access effective healthcare. The UK has consistently raised concerns about the impact of this conflict on Gaza's healthcare system and medical staff, including reiterating the requirement for all parties to comply with International Humanitarian Law. Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed. On 27 December I made clear to Israel's government that the situation in northern Gaza cannot continue and raised our serious concern about repeated strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital, and the safety of civilians and medical workers there. In recent weeks, I have raised the need to ensure healthcare facilities in North Gaza are protected, and to enable World Health Organization and International Committee of the Red Cross access, with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's Ambassador to the UK.
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