asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they and the members of the quartet are taking to ensure the resumption of normal supplies of fuel to Gaza for cooking, health and transport.[HL849]
There is a pressing need to overcome the obstacles to re-opening Gaza's crossings, for humanitarian goods, trade and people. The quartet (US, EU, UN and Russia) has expressed concern over the continued closure of major crossing points. The UN is actively involved in trying to find a solution. The EU has called “on all parties to work towards an opening of the crossings in and out of Gaza”. I refer the noble Lord to the Statement made by my right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development on 30 October detailing our concerns. The text of the Statement can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1193597605085&year=2007&month=2007-10-01.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development discussed the situation in Gaza with the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 9 to 11 December.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will assist the negotiation of a comprehensive ceasefire for Gaza, with a view to making possible access in and out of the Gaza Strip, and to preventing further loss of life on all sides. [HL1048]
We remain extremely concerned by the political and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We strongly condemn the continuing rocket attacks against Israel, which put Israeli lives at risk every day. However, measures taken by Israel in response must be consistent with international humanitarian law and must not cause suffering to innocent civilians.
Gaza is an integral part of a future Palestinian state. We would welcome a ceasefire in Gaza and the resumption of control by the legitimate Palestinian security forces. Given the crucial importance of reopening the crossing points for humanitarian goods, trade and people, we continue to press for a solution to this problem and call on all sides to assume their responsibilities in addressing this situation.