Lammy says he is 'outraged' by Israel restricting aid to Gaza, pledges £15m for medical assistance
Foreign Secretary announces NHS care for critically injured Gazan children and signals possible full recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN unless a ceasefire breakthrough occurs
David Lammy told the House of Commons he was "outraged by the Israeli government's refusal to allow in sufficient aid" to Gaza and announced a further £15 million in UK funding to support medical assistance in the territory.
Lammy, speaking on Monday, said the United Kingdom would continue efforts to bring critically injured Gazan children to the UK for specialist NHS treatment, with the first patients expected to arrive in the coming weeks. He also cited a recent declaration from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) that Gaza is experiencing a "man-made famine" and called for a "massive, massive humanitarian response" to prevent further deaths.
The foreign secretary said the UK remained prepared to move to "full recognition" of a Palestinian state at the next UN General Assembly later this month if there was no breakthrough on a ceasefire. He set that possible diplomatic step as conditional on progress towards ending large-scale hostilities and improving humanitarian access.
Israel has disputed the IPC hunger assessment, describing the report as "deeply flawed" and calling for it to be retracted. The Israeli government has faced international criticism for restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza; Lammy's comments reflect mounting concern in London about civilian suffering and access to essential supplies.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel challenged the government position on recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such a move "should not happen" while hostages remain in captivity. Some hostages taken by Hamas are approaching 700 days in captivity, a point Patel raised as she opposed immediate recognition.
Lammy framed the additional UK funding as part of a broader push to alleviate medical needs in Gaza, where hospitals and health services have come under sustained pressure. He said the UK would prioritise getting injured children to specialist care and providing resources to medical responders on the ground.
The statement added to an intensifying debate in Westminster over how Britain should balance humanitarian concerns, diplomatic measures and security considerations linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ministers face pressure from humanitarian organisations and some international partners to press for greater aid access, while others emphasise the security risks and political implications of unilateral diplomatic moves.
Lammy's pledge comes as international agencies have repeatedly warned about worsening conditions in Gaza and appealed for safe, sustained corridors for aid delivery. The UK government has previously announced support packages for humanitarian relief; Monday's announcement directed new funds specifically toward medical assistance and patient transfers to the NHS where clinically appropriate.
Members of Parliament pressed for clarity on the logistics of bringing children to the UK and on how the new funding would be deployed. The foreign secretary indicated that operational details were being finalised and that the first transfers and disbursements were expected in the near term.
The issue of recognition at the UN General Assembly remains politically charged in Britain. Lammy's conditional timetable signals a potential diplomatic shift tied to developments in the field, while opponents in Parliament urged restraint until remaining hostages are freed and immediate security concerns are addressed.
The government did not provide an exact timetable for a possible recognition vote at the UN, reiterating that any formal move would depend on progress towards a ceasefire and demonstrable improvements in humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza.