Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on Hezbollah.

The situation on the defacto border between Lebanon and Israel is very concerning. A widening of the conflict is in nobody's interest and the Government condemns the strike in the Golan Heights that has tragically claimed at least 12 lives. We have been clear that Hizballah must cease their attacks. Our assessment remains that a strong, sovereign Lebanon with strong state institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, is the best way to tackle Hizballah's influence in Lebanon. The Government continues to press these messages in engagement with counterparts and partners from both Israel and Lebanon, including with Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14 July and during the Foreign Secretary's call with Lebanon's Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on 29 July.