Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he plans to take to support international investigations into reports of gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas during the attack on Israel of 7 October 2023.

The reports of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli women and girls and other civilians are horrifying. We unequivocally condemn gender-based violence in Israel and wherever it occurs in the world. Conflict-related sexual violence is an abuse of human rights and when perpetrated in the context of an armed conflict, can constitute a violation of international humanitarian law such as a war crime. We are regularly engaging with partners, including the UN, on this issue and call for these reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims.

The UK is a global leader in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Phase 1 of our pioneering What Works to Prevent Violence programme resulted in reductions in violence of around 50%, proving that violence is preventable. The UK is continuing our work to end gender-based violence in phase 2 of the What Works programme, in which we are investing £67.5 million. In addition, in November 2023, the UK announced £33 million of further funding to support our efforts in tackling gender-based violence. Our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) strategy, launched in 2022, sets out the work we are leading globally to prevent Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and strengthen justice for all survivors.

The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon gave a statement on 15 December regarding the reports of sexual violence by Hamas, calling for them to be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.