Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister has spoken to President al-Sisi of Egypt since the recent outbreak of violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza; and, if so, whether they discussed the possibility of Egyptian mediation between the government of Israel and Hamas to secure a ceasefire.

The UK worked actively to urge the parties to work with mediators towards an immediate ceasefire. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa engaged the Egyptian Ambassador in London, and the British Embassy Cairo worked closely with the Government of Egypt. We fully supported Egyptian, Qatari and UN efforts to mediate, working closely with the US.

The UK welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza on 20 May, which is an important step to ending the cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. Hamas must end all attacks on Israel. It is also now important for Israel to facilitate rapid humanitarian access in and out of Gaza. As the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made clear, this cycle of violence must stop, and every effort must be made to avoid loss of life.