Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect children in the Palestinian Occupied Territories following reports that a child lost an eye after being hit by a rubber tipped steel bullet fired by Israeli Defence Forces on 9 April.

Whilst we have not made representations on this particular case, in instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we continue to seek information from the Israeli authorities. We call on the Israeli security forces to provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population and urge restraint in the use of live fire. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children.