View research relating to the Middle East, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the response of the UK, UN and others.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation in the UK, launched an assault on Israel, killing 1,200 civilians and taking 253 hostages. The Israel Defence Forces then entered Gaza. Israel says its aims are to “destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home”. There is also ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank. Concerns have also been raised on the level of aid access to Gaza and the humanitarian situation.
Since October, Iran-supported armed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi and Syria militias and the Houthis in Yemen, have been conducting attacks against Israel, US forces in the region, and Red Sea shipping, drawing an international response. In April, Iran also launched its first direct attack against Israel. Concerns for further regional escalation remain.
This page collects the Library’s publications on the situation in the Middle East and their background.
Information on the UK response to the 2023/24 conflict between Israel and Hamas and situation across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories from July 2024.
Information on the UK response to the 2023/24 Israel-Hamas conflict between October 2023 and July 2024.
UK aid to the West Bank and Gaza and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
This briefing provides information on UK arms exports to Israel, the arms export licensing system and the government’s reviews of existing licences to Israel.
Information on the international response to the 2023/24 conflict between Israel and Hamas and risks of regional escalation.
Commons and Lords Library papers, Committee reports, parliamentary material and Government press releases on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related issues from 2020.
Information on the UK and international response to the 2023/24 Israel-Hezbollah conflict from October 2023
This briefing provides an introduction to Lebanon's politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading.
The UK and US struck Houthi sites in January and February 2024 following the group's attacks on Red Sea shipping. What is the background and situation in Yemen?
On 11 January the US and UK, supported by allies, launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. There has been considerable debate as to whether Parliament should have given its approval beforehand.
The decision to take military action against Houthi targets in Yemen and in support of the wider Middle East over the course of 2024, has reignited the debate about Parliament's role in deploying the armed forces.
The situation in Yemen in 2023, negotiations for a political settlement, and the UK's role.
Plans to apply new sanctions against Iran and the debate in the UK on proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following Iran's attack on Israel.
Describes Iran's support for groups in Iraq, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Yemen, and the UK and international response.
How is Iran's nuclear programme developing and are talks still on the table?
