Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the recent outbreak of violence between Hamas and Israel, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on co-ordinating efforts to encourage Hamas to (a) disclose the fate of the two Israeli civilians seized and (b) release the bodies of the two Israeli soldiers claimed as a result of that violence.

The UK welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza on 20 May, which is an important step to ending the cycle of violence and loss of civilian life. The UK position is clear: we urge all sides to treat the dead with respect and urge Palestinian authorities to return any bodies they are holding. The UK maintains a no contact policy with Hamas in its entirety.