Israel-Palestine war: 'Consider wider context' of child deaths in Gaza, British minister says

A British minister has asked an opposition MP to "consider the wider context" after she had called for an end to the fighting in Gaza to protect the lives of children.

Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, a minister of state in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, was responding to a question from Labour's Naz Shah during a House of Commons session on Wednesday about the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Shah noted that more than 4,000 children in Gaza had been killed since the start of the conflict a month ago, a figure reported earlier this week by the Palestinian health ministry.

"At their age, children should be asking whether they are going to a playground, to buy an ice cream or any of those usual things, not whether they are going to a graveyard or preparing for their death," she said.

Shah then asked: "When will the UK ramp up its effort to end the bloodshed and ensure that Palestinian children just have the right to live?"

Mitchell responded: "What is happening to children in Gaza appals us all. I just ask her to consider the wider context, accept that the government understand and agree with her analysis of the plight of children in Gaza, and will do everything within the wider context to try to bring that to an end."

The minister did not expand on what he meant by the "wider context", but the UK government has been a vocal opponent to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“When will the UK ramp up its effort to end the bloodshed and ensure Palestinian children just have the right to live?”

Labour MP Naz Shah called on the UK government to ramp up its efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza pic.twitter.com/sM8MGUK2B3

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 9, 2023

Middle East Eye has contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ask what Mitchell meant by his use of the term.

Since the attacks by Hamas-led fighters in southern Israel on 7 October, which killed around 1,400 Israelis, more than 10,567 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory Israeli air strikes, with around two-thirds of those women and children.

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Calls for a ceasefire are growing within western states, with Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter, and Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling for an end to the bombardment of Gaza.

The UK and US, however, have opposed all such attempts to stop the fighting and have instead insisted that Israel has a right to "defend itself".

A motion by British MPs calling for a cessation of hostilities has 96 signatories from across the political spectrum so far.

Hostages and aid

In addition to the deaths of children, Israel has also imposed a complete siege on Gaza, resulting in the depletion of the territory's fuel, drinkable water and food supplies.

Mitchell said the UK was working with Israel to ensure humanitarian supplies can get through.

"Britain is at the forefront of the international community in doing everything we can to ensure both that they do get through, and that there are sufficient supplies in the region," he said in response to another question.

The minister also addressed the issue of hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups in Gaza.

At least three British nationals are being held in the region and their fate is currently unknown.

British officials have been liaising with Qatar over its attempts to free those nationals, with Doha being the main international conduit for negotiations with Hamas.

Mitchell said "Qatar has been exceedingly helpful" in trying to secure the release of hostages.

Qatar, alongside Egypt, earlier played a role in freeing two elderly captives held by Hamas in Gaza.