Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure that Hamas is disarmed in Gaza.

We have always been clear that Hamas must disarm and have no role in the future governance of Gaza, and we are continuing to support international efforts towards that goal, as part of the wider transition process set out in Phase 2 of the Gaza Peace Plan.

We encourage all parties to work towards a stable and phased security transition including demilitarisation of armed groups, deployment of a new police force under the leadership of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, and the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces.