To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Israel's compliance with its obligations under article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention in respect of free passage into Gaza of consignments of (a) medical and hospital objects, (b) food and (c) clothing. (304882)

The Government have made clear their view that in light of the control that Israel continues to exercise over Gaza, Israel remains bound by obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 in respect of Gaza. Those obligations include article 23 of that convention. We are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza and continue, bilaterally and with our EU partners, to urge Israel to allow reconstruction and humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Israeli Government on the payment of compensation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East following the shelling of its compound in Gaza City in January 2009. (304909)

The Government were deeply concerned by reports of incidents involving UN property/personnel during the Gaza conflict. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set up the UN Board of Inquiry to investigate certain incidents involving UN property/personnel during the Gaza Conflict. The Board reported back on 5 May.

The UN Secretariat are taking this forward—including the issue of compensation—directly with the Israeli Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made to the Israeli Government on the alleged shelling with high explosive and white phosphorus munitions of the United Nations compound in Gaza on 15 January 2009. (304910)

Our embassy in Tel Aviv raised concerns over this incident directly with the Israeli Government on the day it took place.

We have been clear from the beginning of the Gaza conflict that all allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law committed by both sides must be properly investigated.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set up the UN Board of Inquiry to investigate certain incidents involving UN property/personnel during the Gaza Conflict. The Board reported back on 5 May 2009. The UN Secretariat are now taking this forward with the Israeli Government.