Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2025: UK and international response
UK and international response to the Israel-Hamas conflict and situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories from March to November 2025.
On this page
Overview
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.
In 2023/24 , Iran-supported armed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi and Syria militias and the Houthis in Yemen, conducted attacks against Israel, US forces in the region, and Red Sea shipping, drawing an international response. In April 2024, Iran also launched its first direct attack against Israel, followed by further direct conflict in October 2024 and June 2025. This included attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States. Concerns for further regional escalation remain.
This page collects the Library’s publications on the situation in the Middle East and their background.
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2023-25
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UK, Canada, France statements on recognising a Palestinian state 2025
What have the UK, France and Canada said, and what has been the Palestinian, Israeli and international response?
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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: UK response to the conflict July 2024 to March 2025
UK response to the 2023-25 conflict between Israel and Hamas and situation across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, July 2024 to March 2025.
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Israel-Hamas conflict: UK response October 2023 to July 2024
Information on the UK response to the 2023-25 Israel-Hamas conflict between October 2023 and July 2024.
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UNRWA and UK aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip 2023 to 2026
UK aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the position of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in 2026.
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UK arms exports to Israel
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.
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Israel and the Abraham Accords in 2025: Five years on
It is five years since Israel normalised relations with four Arab states. How have these ties developed since then?
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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2023/24: US, EU and Middle East response
Information on the international response to the 2023/24 conflict between Israel and Hamas and risks of regional escalation.
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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2023-25: UN, ICC and ICJ statements and actions
What actions has the UN Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly, International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court taken during the 2023-25 Israel-Hamas conflict?
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Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: A Parliamentary reading list (2020 - 2024)
Commons and Lords Library papers, Committee reports, parliamentary material and Government press releases on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related issues from 2020.
Israel-Iran tensions in 2023-25
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The E3 triggers snapback sanctions against Iran 2025
All UN sanctions against Iran lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement will be reimposed on 28 September unless a new agreement can be reached.
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Iran: Impacts of June 2025 Israel and US strikes
Describes the effects of the strikes, the domestic situation in Iran, and outlook for the region and Iran's nuclear programme
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Israel-Iran 2025: Developments in Iran's nuclear programme and military action
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme.
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US-Iran nuclear talks 2025
The US has entered into talks with Iran to limit its nuclear programme. How far advanced is the programme, and what issues are being discussed?
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Nuclear weapons profile: Israel
This paper briefly examines Israel's nuclear weapons policies, capabilities and programmes.
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Iran in 2025: How strong does it remain in the Middle East?
Iran’s regional alliances are weakened militarily. 2025 is the last year snapback sanctions can be applied against its nuclear programme.
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Israel-Iran October 2024
The UK and international response to Iran's missile attack against Israel, and Israel's attack against Iran, in October 2024, including new sanctions.
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Israel-Iran April 2024: UK and international response
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.
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Iran's influence in the Middle East
Describes Iran's support for groups in Iraq, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Yemen, and the UK and international response.
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What is the status of Iran's nuclear programme and the JCPOA?
How is Iran's nuclear programme developing and are talks still on the table?
Syria
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Syria one year after Assad
This research collection describes the situation in Syria 12 months after Assad fled.
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Syria: What is the situation five months after Assad’s fall?
A government has been declared, but violence is ongoing, including against minorities. The UK has removed some sanctions and wants an inclusive transition.
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Syria after Assad: Consequences and interim authorities 2025
What has happened in Syria after the fall of Assad, who are the main actors, and how has the UK and others responded?
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Countering Islamic State/Daesh in Africa, Syria and Iraq 2025
Global activity by Islamic State (IS) continues. What is the status of counter-IS forces in West Africa, Somalia, Syria and Iraq?
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The Syrian civil war: timeline, UK aid and statistics
The paper provides a timeline of events and statistics on casualties, Syria's humanitarian and refugee situation, and UK aid spending and military activity.
Lebanon
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A new President for Lebanon: What next in 2025?
Lebanon has a new President pledging reforms but faces significant economic and political challenges, including the influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah.
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Lebanon 2025: Plans to disarm Hezbollah
The Lebanese Government plans to disarm Hezbollah, whose military power has been weakened by Israel since 2023. What is the plan, and what are its challenges?
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Lebanon and the end of UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate in 2026
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate will end in 2026 and it will withdraw in 2027. The force has been in place since 1978. What are the plans post-UNIFIL?
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Israel-Hezbollah conflict 2023/24: UK and international response
Information on the UK and international response to the 2023/24 Israel-Hezbollah conflict from October 2023
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Lebanon: Introductory country profile
This briefing provides an introduction to Lebanon's politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading.
Yemen
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UK and international response to Houthis in the Red Sea 2024/25
Yemen's civil war continues. From 2023 the Houthis began attacking ships and Israel. What is the situation and what has been the UK and international response?
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Yemen in 2023: Conflict and status of peace talks
The situation in Yemen in 2023, negotiations for a political settlement, and the UK's role.
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Yemen 2026: Southern Transitional Council's fall and renewed Houthi-Saudi conflict
In 2026, the Southern Transitional Council collapsed in the south, Houthi-Saudi/Yemen government fighting resumed, and humanitarian need is high.
Implications for the UK
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UK forces in the Middle East region
The UK armed forces use a range of bases and facilities in the Middle East.
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Military action: Parliament's role
Does parliament have a say in deploying UK military forces?
