The key facts

  • 59 British MPs signed the resolution introduced by Labour's Richard Burgon
  • Floods have submerged around 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians
  • The resolution calls for using the 2026 sanctions mechanism against those obstructing aid

Parliamentary initiative amid floods

Dozens of British lawmakers have backed a resolution calling on the government to impose sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to Anadolu Agency, by Thursday, 59 MPs had signed the resolution — two days after it was introduced by Labour MP Richard Burgon.

What the resolution demands

The document expresses deep concern over the humanitarian situation following heavy rains and floods, which have worsened the plight of displaced Palestinians in need of shelter and protection from deteriorating weather conditions. The authors describe the disaster as 'predictable' and cite an earlier UN warning that 950,000 displaced Palestinians are at risk of flooding. The resolution condemns Israel's ongoing restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, including shelter materials, as well as obstacles to the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), including limitations on the entry of cargo and international staff. MPs urge the government to demand immediate and unimpeded access for aid, shelter materials, and reconstruction equipment — including through UNRWA — and to use powers under the Global Humanitarian Rights and International Humanitarian Law Sanctions Regulations 2026 to impose sanctions on those involved in obstructing aid.

Scale of the disaster

According to the Gaza government media office, cited in the report, storms that began Friday evening have submerged approximately 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians; relief efforts are hampered by damaged infrastructure and a shortage of emergency equipment. UNRWA reported on Thursday that around 1.98 million people in Gaza require shelter and other essential items — underscoring the scale of needs ahead of winter. The resolution remains a parliamentary initiative for now; the report does not indicate any decision by the British government regarding its demands.