Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the role of international observers in monitoring ceasefire arrangements in Gaza and protecting the security of Palestinians and Israelis.

We welcome the announcement on Tuesday 26 August of agreement by all parties to a ceasefire, and pay tribute to the Government of Egypt for their work to secure this important step.

It is now vital that the parties engage in negotiations to reach a sustainable and durable agreement which tackles the underlying causes of the conflict. It is only this which will put a stop to the cycle of violence. We are clear that there should be international monitoring and verification to ensure implementation of a comprehensive agreement.

The UK, France and Germany have worked closely on elements for a Security Council Resolution. Discussions continue in New York to take this work forward.