Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Mr. Crabb
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports he has received on alleged restrictions imposed by Hamas on the activities of humanitarian non-governmental organisations operating in Gaza.

Mr. Michael Foster
Department for International Development (DFID) officials are in regular contact with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the UN and other donors about this issue. We assess that international NGOs and other humanitarian actors are generally able to carry out humanitarian activities, and that they have been able to successfully rebuff isolated attempts by elements of Hamas to interfere with aid delivery. However, we remain concerned that increasingly close scrutiny and accumulation of minor restrictions on NGO activity by Hamas will have the effect of impeding ongoing humanitarian aid. We will continue to support efforts by humanitarian agencies to protect their ability to assist Gazan civilians on the basis of need.