Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the accessibility of Gaza for the distribution of humanitarian aid.

On 21 March, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany, making clear that Israel should fully respect international law and allow the flow of aid immediately. He called on Israel to restore humanitarian access, including water and electricity, and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Foreign Secretary called Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar and Minister for Strategic Affairs Dermer on 20 and 21 March to press Israel to restore humanitarian access, raise serious concerns about civilian deaths and the safety of the hostages, and the importance of restoring a ceasefire and negotiated path forward. He also spoke to the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, about the humanitarian situation in Gaza on 14 March.