The UK frequently makes its concerns known to the Government of Israel about the consequences of its military operations in Gaza. Most recently, our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised specific concerns about the incident in Beit Hanoun on 8 November, in which a number of Palestinian civilians were tragically killed. As I said on 8 November, Israel must respect its obligation to avoid harming civilians.
We continue to work very closely with the United States Security Co-ordinator, General Keith Dayton, including through seconding a military liaison officer to his team. General Dayton has been particularly focused on securing the reliable opening of the Kami crossing point between Israel and Gaza. The detail of his proposals has not yet been finalised. When the plans have been agreed with the parties, we expect them to be endorsed by the Quartet. General Dayton has also recently established the Security Committee envisaged under the Access and Movement Agreement of November 2005.
The UK frequently makes its concerns known to the Government of Israel about the consequences of its military operations in Gaza. Following the incident at Beit Hanoun on 8 November I issued a statement saying that Israel must respect its obligation to avoid harming civilians. Our embassy in Tel Aviv also raised our concerns about the incident with the Government of Israel. On 10 November I discussed the violence in Gaza with President Abbas by telephone. I offered him my condolences, and encouraged his efforts to end the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, as well as to form a new Palestinian Government based on the three Quartet Principles. I also discussed the matter with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, on 21 November.
Since a team of UK security sector experts made a tour of capitals in early September my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that the UK had set aside resources for the training and equipping of the Lebanese security forces. This has been set at £2.5 million. As part of this, the Ministry of Defence laid a minute before the House indicating the UK’s intention to provide 50 Land Rovers to the Lebanese armed forces. The UK has also been instrumental in setting up a co-ordination group in Beirut to liaise with the Government of Lebanon and ensure their needs are met in a structured and coherent way. The UK continues to co-ordinate closely with our international partners on efforts to assist the Lebanese security forces to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We hope this will include particular attention to the land border with Syria. The UK will work with EU partners to help the Government of Lebanon, should assistance be requested.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is aimed at assisting the Government of Lebanon to exert full sovereignty and control over its territory. To this end, the UK has committed £2.5 million to provide the Government of Lebanon with security sector assistance to allow it to exercise full control of its territory. As part of this the UK is in the process of giving 50 Land Rovers to the Lebanese armed forces. We also called on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people. We are also working closely with other international partners on co-ordinating security assistance. The UK has contributed £22.3 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.
We have offered the Government of Israel assistance in securing the release of the two Israeli soldiers. We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Mrs. Goldwasser on 21 November.