Defence Secretary to call for faster aid delivery into Gaza during Middle East visit
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will be discussing efforts to speed up the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance into Gaza during his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and Israel.
Mr Shapps is expected to meet the interior minister of the Palestinian Authority, General Ziad Hab Al-Reeh in the OPTs, and Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv during his two-day trip.
The Ministry of Defence said he would be discussing options to provide civilians in the Gaza Strip with more humanitarian aid, how the UK can support the Palestinian Authority and what can be done to prevent further escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Shapps will also talk about efforts to recover the remaining hostages, including a number of Britons, who were taken by Hamas fighters during the large-scale incursion into Israel on 7 October.
"My visit this week is an important opportunity to discuss efforts to accelerate the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance into Gaza and efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages," Mr Shapps said.
"We are working to find the best way to get aid and support to those in desperate need in the quickest and most direct route. That includes options by land, sea and air.
"We have deployed an extra 1,000 military personnel in the Middle East and our forces are there to support the humanitarian aid effort and help in stabilising the area.
"The events of October 7 horrified the world and I personally want to offer my support and condolences to Israel and its people.
"We fully support Israel's right to defend itself, but it is important their fight against Hamas terrorists remains within international law."
Mr Shapps will raise the urgent need for measures to improve security for Palestinians in the West Bank with Mr Hab Al-Reeh, while also discussing the current security situation and Israel's next steps with Mr Gallant, the MOD added.
He will also visit Kfar Aza, a kibbutz in southern Israel where Hamas fighters killed Israeli families in their homes during the 7 October attack.
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