asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Government of Israel's use of weapons of heavy destruction against non-military targets in the Gaza strip and Lebanon constitutes a breach of international law and the Geneva convention proscribing attacks on civilians.[HL7041]

All parties must show restraint and take only proportionate measures that are in accordance with international law. We want to see a diplomatic solution. We remain concerned by the humanitarian situation. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said in another place on 20 July:

“I know, that from the outset we have urged on all parties that they should act proportionately, and that they should do everything possible to avoid civilian violence. I regret … the killing and injuring of, in particular, civilians in Lebanon, in Gaza or in Israel itself. Our main objective must be to establish what can be done to ameliorate the situation”.—(Official Report, Commons, 20/7/06; col. 511.)