To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on terrorist attacks in Israel since October 2008; what discussions he has had with the government of Israel on the matter; and if he will make a statement. (241166)

In October and November 2008, 168 rockets and 157 mortars were fired on Israel from Gaza (figures from the Israeli Foreign Ministry ). As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made clear, including during his visit to the region, such attacks on Israel must stop and it is in both Hamas and Israel's interests to reinforce the ceasefire which began in June. It is also imperative that Israeli operations and restrictions do not cause suffering to the civilian population of Gaza.