Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure the permanent opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The UK Government welcomed Israel's opening of the Karem Shalom crossing in December for humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary were among the first to call on Israel to do this, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We urge Israel to extend the opening hours and capacity of the Nitzana screening facility and open the Kerem Shalom checkpoint to 7 days a week, so that more trucks, aid and fuel can enter Gaza.

We call on Israel to open further routes for aid to Gaza, such as Asdod Port and the Erez crossing.