Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effect of political and other divisions within the Palestinian unity government on international efforts to rebuild Gaza.

The reconstruction of Gaza will require a durable ceasefire agreement that includes, amongst other things, the restoration of Palestinian Authority control. We welcomed the leadership shown by the Palestinian Authority at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo, and their agreement to the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism which is facilitating the import of construction materials into Gaza. The situation is extremely difficult, but we continue to support Prime Minister Hamdallah in his efforts to take the steps necessary to restore Palestinian Authority control.