Britain may intensify its support for Palestinian refugees amid concerns over a full-scale war in the Middle East.
International Aid Minister Andrew Mitchell stated that the UK would “do whatever is necessary to play our part in meeting humanitarian need.” He told the BBC of a possible aid review, which means the likely movement of “essential humanitarian supplies” into the region.
Prior to Mitchell’s statement, Britain’s position remained uncertain amid a debate within the European Union over whether to cut humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The European Commission announced on Monday that it was suspending “all payments” to the Palestinians following the Hamas massacre over the weekend. However, negative reactions from the foreign ministers of some EU member states forced the Commission to reverse its decision.
The UK initially stated that it had no plans to cut off aid to the Palestinians, focusing on diplomatic efforts and ensuring the safety of British citizens in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The deployment of military support could also mean helping the armed forces in the event of a full-scale war and refugee crisis. The UK Government has announced the dispatch of two Royal Navy ships to the eastern Mediterranean next week to provide humanitarian contingency support.
