On Day 1 of a two-day session, the UK Foreign Affairs Committee is set to discuss a range of pressing issues related to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A key topic will be Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, which has sparked widespread concern among international organizations and human rights advocates. The committee is expected to examine the humanitarian impact of this blockade, especially as Gaza’s civilian population continues to suffer from shortages of essential supplies like food, water, fuel, and medicine.

In addition to this, the committee will likely address the escalating violence in the Occupied West Bank, including the increasingly aggressive actions of Israeli settlers. Reports of settler violence against Palestinians, coupled with the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, are expected to be high on the agenda. The effectiveness of UK sanctions aimed at curbing these actions, particularly those directed at individuals and groups involved in settlement expansion, will also be scrutinized.

Another critical issue under discussion will be the ongoing displacement of Palestinians due to military actions in the Occupied West Bank. The forced displacement of civilians, the destruction of homes, and the tightening of restrictions have raised alarms over the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Furthermore, the committee is expected to discuss the controversial remarks made by Israeli ministers regarding the potential annexation of parts of the West Bank, a move that could have profound implications for the future of Palestinian autonomy and the peace process.

Finally, the committee will explore peace proposals, with a particular focus on the two-state solution. There will likely be a debate on the feasibility of this solution in light of the current political realities, with differing views on whether it remains a viable path to peace or whether new approaches are needed.

Taking part in the discussions will be Hamish Falconer, MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as Stephen Hickey, the Director of the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Their input will shape the UK’s stance on these critical issues, as the situation in the region continues to evolve.