To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made this year to the Government of Israel about their blockade of Gaza, in particular (a) the closing of the Keren Shalom crossing for two days per week, (b) the restriction of the Karni crossing to wheat movements only, (c) the closing of the Nahal Oz crossing since 1 January, (d) the reduction in heavy oil imports for Gaza Power Plant, (e) the decline in truckloads entering Gaza, and (f) the ending of all imports of glass since 17 February; and what responses they have received. [HL2646]

Officials, including the ambassador, in Tel Aviv have continued to raise our concerns over access to Gaza with the Israeli authorities, including the new head of the Israeli army department overseeing the crossings. We remain deeply concerned by the restrictions on the crossings, not just for imports of humanitarian and reconstruction materials, but also for exports, on which the restoration of the Gazan economy depends.

Our understanding is that recent reductions in oil imports have mainly been due to problems surrounding the transfer of utility payments from the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which places the fuel orders. The Government of Israel recently agreed to allow a further shipment of glass into Gaza.