Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he (a) has and (b) plans to have discussions with the government of Qatar on steps it is taking to help secure a further humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas.

The UK is involved in diplomatic efforts to help secure a further humanitarian pause working with our counterparts in Qatar, Israel, the US and others. The recent pause demonstrates what can be achieved to get vital aid into Gaza including the levels of aid that is possible and it is important that this level of aid is now, at a minimum, sustained. The UK is supportive of humanitarian pauses as part of measures to facilitate the flow of life-saving humanitarian aid and ensure civilians are safe. The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We will continue to use all the tools of British diplomacy and development to enhance the prospects of peace and stability in the region, working closely with our partners.