Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to encourage a ceasefire in Gaza.

Since day one, this government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The UK has been clear that Israel must act in accordance with international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The war must end, and both sides need to show flexibility and do a deal now. We support the efforts of the US, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators and call on the parties to return to the negotiation table in a meaningful way. The Foreign Secretary met with Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire with all restrictions on aid to Gaza lifted. We continue to raise issues of international humanitarian law compliance in Gaza with the Israeli Government. I raised this with the Israeli Government on 27 December.