Increased aid promised by the UK for Gaza's humanitarian crisis
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with the UK's aid efforts facing significant challenges due to restrictions imposed by Israel. Despite these obstacles, the UK remains a major donor, providing over £101 million in aid, with £60 million directed towards lifesaving humanitarian support such as healthcare, food, water, fuel, and shelter for millions of Gazans.
The impact of the UK aid is evident. Over the conflict, UK support delivered through the UN agency OCHA has ensured critical healthcare provisions, food, and cash assistance for over 750,000 Palestinians. OCHA's healthcare work, including fuel for hospitals and medicines, has benefited almost 1 million people. The aid has also helped sustain critical services such as maternal and child healthcare and water provision reaching up to 600,000 people monthly.
However, the effectiveness of aid is severely limited by Israeli restrictions on crossing points, causing aid trucks to wait at borders while civilians experience extreme shortages of basic needs. The UN agency warns that their work is being systematically obstructed despite their best efforts to coordinate and deliver much-needed aid.
The UK government, led by Minister for International Development, Jenny Chapman, has been vocal in its criticism of Israel's plans to escalate military operations and has urged Israel to reverse its decision and return to the ceasefire. Chapman has also demanded that the Government of Israel allows more aid into Gaza safely and securely. The UK Prime Minister has warned that Israel's plan to further escalate its Gaza offensive will not bring an end to the conflict.
International partners, including the UK, have jointly called for unimpeded humanitarian access and protection for civilians and aid workers. The UK continues to push for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an immediate surge in aid to Gaza.
The UK is the largest donor to the UN OCHA pool fund in 2025 and the largest contributor to the UN Humanitarian Fund, delivering aid to 2.3 million people in desperate need. The UK's aid funding, if allowed by Israel, has the potential to reach thousands of desperate civilians in Gaza, providing food, water, and fuel.
The UK's ODA budget for the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2025 is £101m, with £60m allocated for lifesaving humanitarian support. UK ODA in the Occupied Palestinian Territories also supports Palestinian economic development and strengthens Palestinian Authority governance and reform.
Media enquiries can be directed to the FCDO Newsdesk at [email protected] website or 020 7008 3100.
[1] BBC News, "UK urged to push Israel to lift Gaza blockade," 15 June 2025, www.bbc.co.uk/news [2] OCHA, "UK Support for Humanitarian Response in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," 2025, www.ochaopt.org [3] The Guardian, "UK to give £8.5m in aid to Gaza as Israel blockade worsens humanitarian crisis," 22 July 2025, www.theguardian.com [4] Al Jazeera, "Gaza: 'We are living in hell'," 25 August 2025, www.aljazeera.com [5] Middle East Eye, "UK calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza as Israeli strikes intensify," 31 August 2025, www.middleeasteye.net
- The UK's ongoing involvement in the Gaza crisis extends to various sectors, including war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, as it continues to advocate for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the release of hostages.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, the UK government has been vocal about the obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza by Israel, urging for the safe and secure passage of aid trucks to alleviate the severe shortages faced by civilians in need.
