Dozens of British lawmakers urge sanctions on Israeli officials over Gaza aid restrictions - Anadolu Ajansı
Dozens of British lawmakers have backed a parliamentary motion urging the government to impose sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, where severe flooding has worsened already dire conditions for displaced Palestinians.
A total of 59 lawmakers had signed the motion on Gaza's flooding response as of Thursday, two days after it was tabled by Labour Party lawmaker Richard Burgon.
The motion expressed deep concern over humanitarian suffering in Gaza following heavy rainfall and flooding, which have compounded the hardships facing displaced Palestinians, many of whom urgently need adequate shelter and protection from deteriorating weather conditions.
Describing the disaster as "foreseeable," the motion cited an earlier UN warning that 950,000 displaced Palestinians were at risk of flooding.
It also condemned Israel's continued restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, including materials needed to provide shelter.
The motion further criticized Israel's obstruction of humanitarian operations by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), including restrictions on the entry of aid supplies and international staff.
It urged the British government to demand the immediate and unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance, shelter materials and reconstruction equipment, including through UNRWA.
The lawmakers also called on the government to use its powers under the new Global Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026 "to impose sanctions on Israeli officials and others responsible for obstructing humanitarian assistance to Gaza."
According to Gaza's Government Media Office, storms that began late Friday flooded approximately 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians, while damaged infrastructure and shortages of emergency equipment have hampered relief efforts.
UNRWA said Thursday that around 1.98 million people in Gaza needed shelter and other essential supplies, underscoring the scale of humanitarian needs ahead of winter.
