Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the statement by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, published on 8 February 2024, whether his Department is taking diplomatic steps to help prevent the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

We acknowledge this statement. As we have said, there must be a reduction in civilian casualties and all parties must act within International Humanitarian Law. We want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes. These are points the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have consistently made and reinforced with Prime Minster Netanyahu when he and the Prime Minister spoke on 15 February.

We are calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. This remains the focus of all our diplomatic effort.