Written questions by Khan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with (a) her Israeli counterpart, (b) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and (c) the Royal British Legion on the bulldozing of parts of The Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah.

The Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah holds the remains of more than 3,000 men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, the majority from the United Kingdom, but many also from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and other countries. As I said in the General Debate on 5 February, that includes Private William Jordan and Private Wilfrid Ogden, from my own constituency, who died during the Battles for Gaza in 1917.There is justifiable distress in our country and elsewhere at the reports that the cemetery has been damaged by Israeli bulldozers, and we also deplore the reports that the cemetery has been used for Hamas military operations. Brave servicemen laid to rest overseas should never have had their graves defiled in this way. Alongside our international partners, we are raising our concerns about this with the Israeli authorities, and we will work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure that - when the circumstances allow - they are able to go to Gaza, assess what damage has been done, and do what is necessary to repair that damage.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the last Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability strategic assessment was carried out to evaluate the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Regular and ongoing cross-government analysis of the situation in the Middle East takes place, with support from external experts, to inform the UK's policy-making. This rolling analysis incorporates multiple assessment types and is updated as required.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the report of 15 October 2025 by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, entitled UK Aid to Sudan: A Review.

The Government has now responded to the report of 15 October 2025 by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) about UK Aid to Sudan. All formal government responses to ICAI reports are published on GOV.UK. We will publish the response to this report in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her American counterpart on the detainment of Sami Hamdi by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on 26 October 2025; and what steps she is taking to secure his immediate release.

We do not routinely discuss specific cases, but I can confirm that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office are in contact with a British man detained in the USA and in touch with the local authorities and his family in the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Israeli counterpart on the Knesset Bill entitled Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025.

The UK Government condemns any calls to annex the West Bank and has also consistently opposed the expansion of illegal settlements. Annexation threatens regional stability, the viability of a Palestinian state and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure Israel complies with its obligation to facilitate the activities of (a) the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and (b) other UN agencies.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure Israel’s compliance with the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 on the Obligations of Israel in Enabling the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and In Relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Israeli counterpart on the implementation of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 on the Obligations of Israel in Enabling the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and In Relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to (a) match or (b) exceed the UK’s previous £650 million pledge to the African Development Fund at the forthcoming replenishment.

The UK remains committed to delivering impactful development assistance in line with our key priorities: tackling climate change and restoring nature, boosting global health systems, and responding to humanitarian emergencies. The African Development Fund (ADF) is a vital and long-standing multilateral partner that helps us deliver on those priorities.The UK is proud to be hosting the pledging conference for the Seventeenth Replenishment of the ADF in London in December 2025. The UK's allocation to ADF will be announced in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding she plans to provide to the Global Fund at its forthcoming replenishment.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 September 2025 to Questions 72852 and 72853.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support work to eradicate polio globally.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 September to Question 76022.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take steps in the UK’s capacity as a co-host of the Global Fund's Eighth Replenishment Summit to encourage contributions from international partners.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 September 2025 to question 72859.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 21 July 2025 on Middle East, Official Report, column 595, whether UK made arms components were used in the incident at the Project HOPE health clinic in Deir al Balah.

As the Foreign Secretary has said, we utterly condemn the killing of civilians seeking to meet their basic needs. Our assessment of this strike, drawing on the available evidence, including eyewitness reports in the media, is that it was a drone strike. The Government suspended all export licences for IDF drones on 2 September 2024, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition for use in military operations in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterpart to ascertain information on the (a) status and (b) wellbeing of Dr Abu Safiya.

I remain deeply disturbed by the ongoing detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and other medical staff from Gaza. We continue to call on Israel to clarify the reasons for the detention of Dr Abu Safiya and other medical personnel, and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities.I have specifically raised Dr Hussam Abu Safiya's case with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's ambassador to the UK. We are urging Israel to clarify the reasons for his detention, to allow medical workers to carry out their work safely and without hindrance, and to provide detainees with access to legal representation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to pursue (a) multilateral action and (b) a peacekeeping mandate at the United Nations Security Council to protect the provision of UN-delivered aid to Gaza.

On 4 June, the UK voted in favour of a UN Security Council Resolution calling for urgent improvements to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We co-called a meeting of the UN Security Council on 16 July where we reiterated calls for a ceasefire and for Israel to lift its restrictions on aid, raising serious concerns about the imminent collapse of basic services in Gaza. On 21 July, together with 30 international partners, we released a statement condemning the appalling humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the killing of civilians, and called for the war to end immediately. On 25 July we released a statement, together with France and Germany, calling on Israel to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has cooperated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; whether his Department plans to cooperate with this organisation; and whether it is his policy that UK humanitarian aid support for Palestine should be delivered solely by (a) the UN and (b) established humanitarian partners.

The UK has not cooperated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and we will not cooperate with any aid delivery mechanism that does not fully respect humanitarian principles.Since its inception, we have highlighted repeatedly our concerns that Israel's new mechanisms for aid delivery in Gaza places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives. We continue to call on Israel to enable the UN and humanitarian non-governmental organisations to do their work safely and effectively, in line with the humanitarian principles.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had any engagement with (a) the Tony Blair Institute and (b) the Boston Consulting Group on the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since 7 October 2023.

Officials have met with the Tony Blair Institute to discuss Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023. We have no record of meetings with the Boston Consulting Group. We continue to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, for the release of the hostages and for Israel to allow for a full and unhindered resumption in the flow of aid, including allowing the entry of more types of aid such as medicine, fuel and shelter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Syria on the importance of protecting the Alawite community.

We welcome the Syrian Government's reassurances to the Syrian population and international community that they will protect all civilians in Syria, and their establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed crimes during the violence in early March. I discussed these points in my meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March. We will continue to monitor the treatment of all civilians in Syria, and this issue will continue to be an important aspect of our engagement with the Syrian Government and with regional and international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Syria on ensuring the people responsible for attacks on the Alawite community are properly investigated and held accountable.

We welcome the Syrian Government's reassurances to the Syrian population and international community that they will protect all civilians in Syria, and their establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed crimes during the violence in early March. I discussed these points in my meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March. We will continue to monitor the treatment of all civilians in Syria, and this issue will continue to be an important aspect of our engagement with the Syrian Government and with regional and international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Israeli counterpart on Israel's denying hon. Members entry into the West Bank.

As the Foreign Secretary has said, it is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary met with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar in London. The Foreign Secretary has made clear to his counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British Parliamentarians.