Written questions by Khan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether UK-made F-35 parts have been used in airstrikes in Gaza since 18 March 2025.

The UK's robust export licensing criteria states that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). In September 2024, following an IHL review, we have suspended certain export licences to Israel where we have assessed there is a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL. The suspension of relevant export licences for Israel will be kept under review and we hope to see evidence of sustained improvements that address concerns relating to IHL. We would not comment on speculation about future export licencing decisions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the International Criminal Court’s granting of arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and former defence minister.

We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. As the Foreign Secretary said last week, we urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. Our focus is on urging all parties to return to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full and work towards a permanent peace.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his policy on arms trade with Israel.

We have continued to review export licences for items to Israel and assess that there are no extant licences for items that might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. This is subject to the specific measures set out to Parliament excluding exports to the global F-35 programme from the scope of the suspension. There are a number of export licences which we have assessed are not for use by the Israeli Defense Forces in military operations in Gaza and therefore do not require suspension. These include military items such as components for trainer aircraft or components for air defence systems, and other, non-military, items such as food-testing chemicals, telecoms, and data equipment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterpart on the killing of Hossam Shabat by Israeli forces; what steps he is taking to help increase the safety of journalists in conflict zones.

The Government is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians, including journalists in Gaza, who are afforded protection under international humanitarian law. As international media are not permitted to work in Gaza, Palestinian journalists have been playing a crucial role in covering the impact of the conflict. This Government has been repeatedly clear that all civilians must be protected in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this again in a joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany on 21 March, which called on Israel to fully respect international law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reduction of the international development budget on the UK's soft power.

The decision to reduce the UK's international development budget was not taken lightly and is a reflection of the extraordinary security challenge the world currently finds itself facing, specifically on Ukraine. Establishing a Soft Power Council reflects the continuing UK commitment to work more strategically on soft power. The UK has enormous soft power strengths and at this time of extraordinary challenges it is even more important that we bring our hard and soft power together as a force for good, to reinvigorate alliances and forge new partnerships. As the Foreign Secretary has noted, harnessing our soft power more effectively can help to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reduction of the international development budget on the UK's international partnerships with developing nations.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance. Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including the likely impact on the UK's international partnerships with developing nations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government's policy towards UK arms trade with Israel in complying with Criterion 2a and Criterion 2c of the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria.

The Government is committed to maintaining a robust and transparent export control system. We will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria, including respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law. The Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to carefully consider the impact of the export of items and their capabilities.  As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he ordered a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law, which concluded that there is a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. On 2 September 2024 we suspended export licences to Israel for use in military operations in the Gaza Conflict. This does not, however, include exports to the global F-35 programme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the steps his Department is taking to help prevent the use of UK-produced arms by Israel in (a) Gaza and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Government is committed to maintaining a robust and transparent export control system. We will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria, including respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law. The Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to carefully consider the impact of the export of items and their capabilities.  As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he ordered a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law, which concluded that there is a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. On 2 September 2024 we suspended export licences to Israel for use in military operations in the Gaza Conflict. This does not, however, include exports to the global F-35 programme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We continue to consider the Court's Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.  We are of the clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible, but it must be done in a way that creates the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an estimate of the lives lost in Gaza since 7 October 2023.

Since October 2023, over 47,000 have been killed in Gaza and more than 90% of the population has been displaced, many people repeatedly so. Like many of our partners, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office uses United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) figures to report on daily casualties in the current Gaza conflict. OCHA draws on figures issued from the Gazan Ministry of Health (MoH), which collates information on casualty statistics using a health information system derived from eight major hospitals across Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his US counterpart on the revocation of sanctions against Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that decision on UK sanctions.

As the Prime Minister said in the House on 22nd January, we are deeply concerned by what is happening in the West Bank. The Government continues to engage with the US at all levels on all our priorities, including security and stability in the Middle East. Sanctions are part of wider UK efforts to support a more stable West Bank and help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated heinous abuses of human rights in the West Bank. Sanctions remain part of our broader political strategy and are designed to effect change, to pressurise, and send a clear signal regarding behaviours.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Israeli counterpart on the killing of (a) Saher al-Qaran and (b) other Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect.

We cannot comment on individual cases, but we remain concerned by the situation in the West Bank and reiterate that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected. The Foreign Secretary has raised the situation in the West Bank and issues of international law compliance directly at the highest levels of the Israeli Government. This government is clear that international law must be upheld, and civilians protected.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his correspondence of 8 January 2024 to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, if he will list the steps his Department takes to monitor the risk of genocide being committed as part of the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria process.

Criterion 1 of the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria states that the Government will not grant a licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the UK's international obligations and commitments. This includes the duty to prevent genocide under Article 1 of the Genocide Convention. We draw on a range of sources in making assessments, including NGOs, international organisations, and reporting from our overseas network. All licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many medical evacuations from Gaza to the UK have been (a) requested by the UK and (b) successfully conducted since 7 October 2023.

Officials from all relevant Whitehall departments are exploring avenues to ensure our support best meets the needs of the critically ill in Gaza, and we continue to support the provision of healthcare in Gaza and the region. The Government is keeping our humanitarian programme and existing policies on medical evacuations and visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.The ceasefire provides a vital opportunity to increase the number of medical evacuations from Gaza. It is very positive that the Rafah crossing has reopened to support this. It is vital that Israel ensures that there is a sustained passage for patients who need treatment not available in Gaza, and the UK frequently engages with Israel to ensure critically ill patients receive the medical treatment they need.We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza, including support to UK-MED who have now provided vital care to over 330,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will establish a mechanism to monitor the impact of USAID cuts on programmes to (a) conflict-affected countries and (b) multilateral organisations; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of American funding from UNRWA on levels of UK funding.

We are currently working to assess the implications of the US funding pause across development sectors, geographic regions and multilateral organisations. We are gathering information and working with other donor partners to share analysis of the pause before making any decisions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Israeli counterpart on (a) the killing of Sondos Jamal Muhammed Shalabi and (b) other actions in Nur Shams refugee camp.

We cannot comment on individual cases, but we remain concerned by the situation in the West Bank and reiterate that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected. The Foreign Secretary has raised the situation in the West Bank and issues of international law compliance directly at the highest levels of the Israeli Government. This government is clear that international law must be upheld, and civilians protected.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his US counterpart on British citizens and their families impacted by that country's sanctions on the International Criminal Court.

Successive UK and US administrations have taken a different view on the ICC - for example, the UK are signatories to the Rome Statute, the US are not. We support the independence of the ICC. Imposing sanctions against ICC officials impedes the Court's ability to carry out its important work prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We will continue to engage with the US administration on all our priorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making Israel a Human Rights Priority country.

The UK is committed to promoting and protecting human rights and rule of law around the world. On 10 December 2024, the Foreign Secretary and Lord Collins, Minister for Human Rights, set out their five priorities on human rights and democratic governance. Central to the strategic approach is the principle that human rights matter everywhere.The UK is committed to improving the human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We regularly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 16 January 2025 on the Middle East, Official report columns 511-513, what steps his Department is taking to help protect human rights organisations in Palestine, in the context of the killing of Ihab Fisal.

Human Rights are a crucial element underpinning the UK's foreign policy, and civil society organisations play an important role in upholding human rights. Through our aid programmes, we support human rights organisations in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on a range of issues. I regularly meet with civil society organisations, including human rights organisations, to discuss the current humanitarian situation in Gaza.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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, if his Department will take steps to help ensure that a substantial increase in humanitarian aid flows into Gaza is included as a condition within a permanent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

We have always been clear that a ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. We must build confidence on all sides that helps sustain a ceasefire and move it into a lasting peace. Crucially, we need to see an immediate surge of aid into Gaza, and we will work with Israel, the UN and all partners to facilitate that. As part of this, we need safe and effective aid distribution, and the protection of the civilian population including ensuring immediate access to healthcare, shelter and food. The UK continues to do all we can to alleviate this suffering. We have provided £112 million this financial year, including £41 million for UNRWA, which is supporting the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Palestinian refugees in the region.