Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they plan to take in response to the actions of Hamas in Gaza, including discrimination against women, public executions and other human rights breaches as reported by the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights.

The UK proscribes the military wing of Hamas and maintains a no contact policy with Hamas in its entirety and condemns its acts contrary to human rights. The UK’s position on Hamas is clear: Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. Hamas faces a fundamental decision about whether it is prepared to join efforts for peace, or whether it will continue to use terror and anti-Semitic incitement, with all the terrible consequences for the people of Gaza and Israel. The UK is supportive of the Palestinian Authority fully resuming government functions in Gaza, helping to improve the economic and humanitarian situation and ease the suffering of ordinary Gazans.