To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to seek (a) the ending of restrictions on access to Gaza imposed by the Israeli authorities and (b) to ensure that international law is observed in that area. (293990)

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu on 15 October 2009. He clearly expressed the UK's concerns regarding the current situation in Gaza and urged unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

Although there is no permanent physical Israeli presence in Gaza, Israel maintains a significant degree of control, including control of Gaza's borders, airspace and territorial waters. The UK does not consider that Israel's obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949 have ceased to apply in respect of Gaza and we continue to make this clear.