Gaza: Armed Conflict

Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on the smuggling of bomb and rocket- making equipment into Gaza.

Meg Munn
Arms smuggling into Gaza remains a great concern. The Quadrilateral Committee, which consists of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the US, has been working closely to address the issue of smuggling and border control. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met his Egyptian counterpart, Aboul Gheit, in November 2007 and spoke to him by phone on 19 February to discuss the situation in Gaza.

Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on the use of tunnels to smuggle equipment and personnel into Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn
Arms smuggling into Gaza remains a great concern. The Quadrilateral Committee, which consists of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the US, has been working closely to address the issue of smuggling and border control. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Egyptian counterpart, Aboul Gheit, on 19 February 2008 to discuss the situation in Gaza.