Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department are taking to help expedite negotiations between Israel and Palestine on ending violence and promoting peace.

On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution. He will push for agreement on humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of British hostages and foreign nationals, and securing safe passage for British Nationals to leave Gaza. The Foreign Secretary also discussed the urgent need for the Rafah crossing to open so that lifesaving aid can reach those who need it and for Hamas to release the hostages. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon along with the Foreign Secretary attended Cairo Peace Summit on 21 October to address the international community on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Since the Hamas attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken to counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East.