Written questions by Glindon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Zimbabwe on (a) the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3.) Bill and (b) its public consultation process.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 March in response to Question HL15456.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding reports of violence and intimidation against people who oppose the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3.) Bill.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 March in response to Question HL15456.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on the demolition of towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement on the conflict in Lebanon issued on 14 April by the Foreign Secretary and eighteen of her international counterparts, which can be seen at the link below, as well as the Foreign Secretary's statement on 17 April welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lebanon-joint-foreign-ministers-statement-14-april-2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of patient consultations that have been performed by UK-Med in Gaza as a result of UK aid funding.

The UK is providing £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support as part of our £116 million programme for Palestine this financial year, including support for UK-Med. Funding to UK-Med has supported over a million patient consultations across Gaza but humanitarian partners are still reporting delays and restrictions in providing medical support, and denials of critical medical supplies. We continue to press Israel to open all crossings and lift restrictions preventing urgently needed medical supplies from reaching those in desperate need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the reports that Israeli Defences Forces have moved the Yellow Line deeper into Gaza.

The UK urges all parties to meet the commitments they have made under the 20-point peace plan, and we continue to monitor the situation on the ground in Gaza closely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the airstrike on Palestinians at a water distribution point at al-Nuseirat refugee camp on 13 July 2025.

Reports of women and children killed while waiting in line for water at al-Nuseirat camp are devastating. We have been clear that civilians in Gaza must be protected from attack and able to access aid without fear.No one should have to risk their life to get water for themselves or their families, especially after enduring almost two years of relentless conflict.This is why I called for an immediate and independent inquiry into the incident. We expect those responsible to be held to account and changes made to protect those seeking aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the F-35 programme partner nations on Israel’s (a) compliance with international humanitarian law and (b) use of F-35 fighter jets in Gaza.

Conversations with F-35 Partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues, however we are unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the question from the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend of 14 January 2025, Official Report, column 159, what recent assessment he has made of Israel's presence in the Golan Heights buffer zone.

We continue to call on all parties to preserve Syria's territorial integrity and national unity. Continued Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) activity in the buffer zone is in violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces agreement and we have called on Israel to lay out timelines for their withdrawal. We expect Israel to adhere to their commitment that their presence in the buffer zone is both limited and temporary. We continue to support the work of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who remain vital for stability for Syria and the wider region, participating regularly in UN Security Council Meetings on UNDOF, most recently in consultations on 12 June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56774 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, what diplomatic steps he is taking to call for an (a) immediate and (b) independent investigation into the reports of the killing of Palestinians near aid sites in Gaza.

We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents, in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families.  We have raised our concerns directly with the Government of Israel. At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 4 June, we called for an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of the killing of Palestinians near an aid distribution centre in Rafah.

We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents, in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families. We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account. Israel must immediately allow the UN and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the operation of desalination plants in Gaza.

Recognising the vital role that desalination plants play in providing clean drinking water to civilians in Gaza, the UK supported efforts to establish a Gaza Central Desalination Programme through the World Bank. This work is currently on hold due to the conflict, and the programme has been restructured to meet urgent, short-term water needs in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah.

The UK has made clear the importance that all sides maintain a cessation of hostilities and work towards securing a lasting peace. This is the only way to restore security and stability for the people living on either side of the border. The UK continues to engage Israel and Lebanon to urge them to build on the progress made and implement fully the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recent reports of attacks on Alawite communities in Syria.

The events in Syria at the start of March 2025 were deeply concerning and reports that large numbers of civilians have been killed are horrific. We are working as quickly as possible to establish from reliable sources of information what exactly happened and who was responsible. Following the Foreign Secretary's public statement on 9 March, I made clear in my statement to the House on 10 March that the interim authorities have a responsibility to ensure the protection of all Syrian civilians and to make progress towards an inclusive political transition. We will judge them by their actions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Oral Statement from the Minister for Development of 28 January 2025 on Gaza: Humanitarian Situation, Official Report, Column 185, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of supply of (a) tents, (b) mattresses and (c) medical equipment in Gaza; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to increase that supply.

Despite the welcome ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely challenging.  The UK is pressing Israel to increase the volume and type of goods, like shelter items and medical equipment, entering Gaza. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in a call on 22 January. On 31 January, we joined with Germany and France to call on Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population. The Minister for Development also announced £17 million in humanitarian funding on 28 January to ensure healthcare, food and shelter reaches tens of thousands of civilians, and to rebuild vital infrastructure across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov.

The UK remains concerned over the kidnapping of Israeli-Russian dual national Elizabeth Tsurkov. The Government of Iraq's investigation into her kidnapping is ongoing, and we await the findings. Those suspected of criminal responsibility of her kidnapping should be brought to justice in fair trials. The Government has not had any discussion with the Government of Iraq regarding the kidnapping.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Iraqi counterpart on the case of Elizabeth Tsurkov.

The UK remains concerned over the kidnapping of Israeli-Russian dual national Elizabeth Tsurkov. The Government of Iraq's investigation into her kidnapping is ongoing. Those suspected of criminal responsibility of her kidnapping should be brought to justice in fair trials. The Government has not had any discussion with the Government of Iraq regarding the kidnapping.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to (a) humanitarian organisations and (b) his Israeli counterpart on the expedition of Habiba Al Askari's medical evacuation from Gaza.

The case of Habiba Al Askari is tragic and underlines why we need to see more medical evacuation routes open during the first phase of the ceasefire. While we have not discussed this individual case with Israel, we engage routinely on the importance of addressing health needs within Gaza and enabling medical evacuations for all patients needing medical care not available in Gaza.The UK has announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organization Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting provision of essential healthcare to Palestinians including funding UK-Med to operate field hospitals in Gaza, where they have established an operating theatre and an emergency department for urgent care.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held discussions with his (a) Egyptian and (b) Israeli counterparts about the expedition of exit permits for Gazans seeking urgent medical evacuations.

We engage routinely on the importance of addressing health needs within Gaza. An immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, with many in need of urgent medical assistance. Israel should ensure that there is a sustained passage for patients who need treatment not available in Gaza, by reopening routes and increasing the approval rate for medical evacuations.We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through the World Health Organization 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 for operating their field hospitals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

The situation in Syria remains fluid, and clearly has wide-ranging implications for UK policy. Our top priorities have been to prevent further escalation, especially in the North East; support an inclusive Syrian-led political transition; and ensure continued humanitarian access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to encourage a ceasefire in Gaza.

Since day one, this government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The UK has been clear that Israel must act in accordance with international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The war must end, and both sides need to show flexibility and do a deal now. We support the efforts of the US, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators and call on the parties to return to the negotiation table in a meaningful way. The Foreign Secretary met with Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire with all restrictions on aid to Gaza lifted. We continue to raise issues of international humanitarian law compliance in Gaza with the Israeli Government. I raised this with the Israeli Government on 27 December.