New UK Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty Urges Israel to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

The UK’s new Minister for the Middle East has pressed Israel to allow significantly more aid into Gaza during his visit to humanitarian facilities near the Egyptian border. Stephen Doughty visited Al Arish, where large stockpiles of aid are currently held while waiting for permission to enter Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, describing the existing aid levels as "simply too low."

"I know how appalled people across Britain have been at the death and suffering in Gaza. That is why I have made this my first visit to the region, and is why I am calling again on Israel to allow aid to reach those in need," Mr Doughty stated.

Emphasizing the UK's commitment, he noted that the government has been a leader in delivering humanitarian support and diplomatic outreach, yet current volumes remain insufficient. He highlighted the resumption of support to UNWRA and ongoing collaboration with partners such as the Red Crescent, while stressing that existing barriers must be dismantled.

Mr Doughty reaffirmed that the UK will maintain its close cooperation with Egypt to facilitate aid delivery and pursue diplomatic pathways to resolve the conflict. He expressed gratitude to Egypt for its vital partnership and reiterated that Israel must guarantee rapid, safe, and unimpeded aid access to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.

During his regional engagements, Mr Doughty met with Dr Ali Shaath, chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), to discuss support for the Gaza peace plan. The UK has allocated more than £127m in overseas aid to Palestine this financial year, including £2m directed to the Red Crescent. Furthermore, discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and Arab League Secretary General Nabil Fahmy focused on reinforcing regional stability and shared security interests.

In addition to humanitarian matters, Mr Doughty addressed migration issues by signing a new UK-Egyptian partnership on migration cooperation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office reported that the agreement aims to reduce the timeframe for returning Egyptian nationals with no legal right to remain in the UK by up to 90 per cent, following a recent £9 million expansion in UK funding for migration management across North Africa.