Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Humanitarian Situation Update No. 221 on the Gaza Strip, if he will have discussions with his Israeli counterpart on (a) the impact of air strikes on schools and (b) the proportion of school-age children who are accessing learning spaces in Gaza.

This Government is deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on children, and the high level of destruction to civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including schools. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary continue to press Israeli leaders to take all steps to avoid civilian casualties and the importance of upholding International Humanitarian Law. The Foreign Secretary stated that he was appalled by the tragic loss of life as a result of the Israeli military strike on the al-Tabeen school. The UK supports humanitarian agencies such as United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to provide education services to civilians in Gaza, including through UK funding to Education Cannot Wait, which delivers education to children in crisis.