Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use by the government of Israel of semi-autonomous machine-gun robots to guard the border with Gaza.

We have not made an assessment of these reports. 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. All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and make every effort to avoid civilian casualties.