To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken in the last six months and (b) plans to take in the next 12 months to assist the Egyptian Government to stop the smuggling of offensive weapons into Gaza; and if he will make a statement. (296575)

Since the Gaza conflict, officials from nine countries (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and the US) have met several times to discuss how to support action against arms smuggling. Officials met most recently in Ottawa on 10-11 June 2009. However, the tools the international community has at its disposal are limited and the challenges of interdiction high.

We continue to discuss all aspects of the situation in Gaza—including arms smuggling and action to combat it—with international partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of rocket attacks from Gaza aimed at southern Israel; and if he will make a statement. (296626)

According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs there have been 122 rockets fired from Gaza since Operation Cast Lead. The UK condemns all such attacks and continues to call on those responsible to renounce violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the allegations of war crimes made in respect of each party to the recent conflict in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. (296640)

There are allegations of serious concern which cannot be ignored. Rocket attacks by Palestinian militants targeted at innocent civilians in southern Israel constitute a breach of international humanitarian law. There are also serious allegations about Israeli conduct and we urge the Israeli Government to carry out full, credible and impartial investigations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the likelihood of military action against Iran by (a) Israel and (b) other states in the event of Iran making further progress towards the development of (i) long range missiles and (ii) nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. (296652)

We regularly review and monitor a range of threats to security in the middle east. We are aware of speculation about military action against Iran. This underlines the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear programme and we are working intensely with international partners to achieve this.