Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of effect of renewed rocket fire from Gaza into Israel on the political situation in that region.

The UK fully supports Israel’s right to self-defence. Indiscriminate rocket attacks against civilians are unacceptable and unjustifiable. The perpetual cycle of violence does not serve anyone’s interests, and must end. Ultimately, the ongoing decision by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to embrace violence lies at the heart of the Gaza situation. We need a durable agreement that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict and transforms the situation in Gaza.