government in london, but not really thinking of the broader picture. one element worth mentioning for viewers wondering, the glaring question of scotland, northern ireland and wales, this inquiry will move to devolved nations later on, early next year. this is very much about the devolved power to the english cities. we've heard from those two mayors. what comes next? we will hear from steve rotherham, mayors. what comes next? we will hearfrom steve rotherham, the metro mayor for liverpool, another picture of how he felt and possibly similar anecdotes. sadly khan and andy burnham and steve rotherham are all labour mayors, but they kept party politics out of bed. it was a sense of pulling together. we will hear from him. laterthis of pulling together. we will hear from him. later this week we will hearfrom more ministers, the accusations may be answered by them. we have michael gove tomorrow, the cabinet minister, so to some extent his role is to bring what everyone was saying and deliver it as a message to downing street. later we will hear from the health secretary matt hancock. that should be explosive. he's had criticism levelled at him, more today. i think a pretty big week at the covid inquiry. last week was a scientist, this is the politicians and the political decisions are made. this covid inquiry, which you being covering, has been divided into different areas. what stage are we at at the moment? day in, day out. you make it sound so glamorous. it hasn't rained each day. we had a module one in the summer, about britain's preparedness before the pandemic, the months leading up. should we have had a plan? this bit is about political decision—making and how the science worked into it. that is why we've heard so much from the politicians and the inner workings of downing street at the time. this inquiry will go on for several years, so we will hear more in the coming years about, for example, how much ppe was procured and delve into those decisions. we will talk about social care. this part of the module, the inquiry at war moved to the devolved nations in the coming months share. it will give us an interesting insight into the relationship between downing street and the devolved nations. we know from living through it, that was not a harmonious relationship. we will get deeper into it. all of these results will be filtered out throughout the coming years, but they will send a reporter in a fierce time. the big joke is how much it costs, and the critics have said it is taking longer than the pandemic itself is quite clearly, there is an awful lot to get through. thank you very much. any price at the covid inquiry outside. we are going back to the covid inquiry as it continues. it resumes after its short break. let's listen n. just dealing with the resilience forum, oversees the preparedness, response and recovery within that region. is that right? yes. as a consequence, it has responsibility in terms of... thank you, definite speaker. i thank the shadow— thank you, definite speaker. i thank the shadow foreign secretary for this question. a tragedy is unfolding in the middle east. israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its _ has suffered the worst terror attack in its history, and palestinian civilians _ in its history, and palestinian civilians are experiencing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis _ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as_ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as a _ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. as a foreign secretary made cleai’, _ crisis. as a foreign secretary made clear. the _ crisis. as a foreign secretary made clear, the agreement was a crucial step towards providing relief to the famiiies— step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian emergency in gaza. this pause has provided _ emergency in gaza. this pause has provided an — emergency in gaza. this pause has provided an important opportunity to ensure _ provided an important opportunity to ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel and _ ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel and other life—saving aid can enter— fuel and other life—saving aid can enter gaze — fuel and other life—saving aid can enter gaza. on the 24th of november, the british— enter gaza. on the 24th of november, the british government announced a further— the british government announced a further £30 million of assistance, tripling _ further £30 million of assistance, tripling our existing aid budget for the occupied palestinian territories this financial year. during the pause, — this financial year. during the pause, the fourth uk aircraft carrying _ pause, the fourth uk aircraft carrying 23 tonnes of humanitarian aid arrived — carrying 23 tonnes of humanitarian aid arrived in each of two, bringing the total— aid arrived in each of two, bringing the total amount of aid provided by aircraft _ the total amount of aid provided by aircraft 274— the total amount of aid provided by aircraft 274 tonnes. this aid is being — aircraft 274 tonnes. this aid is being disbursed to the united nations, to support critical food, water, _ nations, to support critical food, water, health, shelterand water, health, shelter and protection water, health, shelterand protection needs in gaza. two pre—position emergency supplies in the region — pre—position emergency supplies in the region. today is the fourth and final day— the region. today is the fourth and final day of— the region. today is the fourth and final day of that the british government is supportive of the current— government is supportive of the current pause continuing, but that is for— current pause continuing, but that is for the — current pause continuing, but that is for the israelis and others in the region— is for the israelis and others in the region to agree. we are clear, this pause — the region to agree. we are clear, this pause should not be a one—off, the increased flow of fuel and blue supplies— the increased flow of fuel and blue supplies over the crossing accompanying the pause was welcome and must _ accompanying the pause was welcome and must be sustained. this pause shoutd _ and must be sustained. this pause should act— and must be sustained. this pause should act as a confidence building mechanism for future pauses, including _ mechanism for future pauses, including those solely on humanitarian grounds. we welcome the intensive _ humanitarian grounds. we welcome the intensive international cooperation, including _ intensive international cooperation, including efforts from qatar and the usa leading to this agreement, and we thank— usa leading to this agreement, and we thank partner is for their continued work. we remain committed to making _ continued work. we remain committed to making the progress towards a two state solution. britain's long—standing position on the peace process— long—standing position on the peace process is— long—standing position on the peace process is clear, we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and _ negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure israel living alongside a viable and sovereign policy— alongside a viable and sovereign policy and state. the uk will continue _ policy and state. the uk will continue to work with all partners in the _ continue to work with all partners in the region to reach a long—term political— in the region to reach a long—term political solution which enables both israelis and palestinians to live in— both israelis and palestinians to live in peace. i both israelis and palestinians to live in peace-— both israelis and palestinians to live in eace. ., ., ., live in peace. i am grateful for the aurantin live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of— live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge in _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge in question. i granting of a surge in question. holding the government to account is a sacred duty of this house. but with the lord of chipping norton not here, this is feeling more like a game of where's wally. can i start by asking the minister what progress is being made with the speaker to ensure all members can question the foreign secretary? the last 17 who ours have brought much—needed relief to israel and gaza —— 72 hours. can i recommend the good work of the us and red cross, the images of hostages released has moved us all. it remains bittersweet with many more still captive, their families in agony. in gaza, the last few weeks have been an unimaginable nightmare for innocent palestinians. the civil death toll including thousands of women and children has been shocking and intolerable. the increased flow of aid remains a fraction of what is required. more time is needed. we must support the parties to reach an agreement to extend the substation of hostilities. to secure the release of remaining hostages, to deliver more aid to provide a stepping stone to an enduring cessation of hostilities and ensuring what follows the war is a durable, political solution. the danger is the fighting resumes in near ours. if the vital efforts to extend their cessation of hostilities fail, does my right honourable friend agree we cannot return to the situation before this pause? we cannot go back to hamas considering rocket attacks on israel and can't go back to an acceptable siege conditions in gaza, and we cargo back to the scenes are thousands of innocent palestinians being killed. the two state solution remains the only credible basis for a lasting peace, a future in which israel is secure from the threat of hamas terrorist, a future in which gazais hamas terrorist, a future in which gaza is not occupied and its people are no longer displays, a future in which palestinians and israelis can enjoy security, dignity and human rights. enjoy security, dignity and human riahts. . ~' ,, enjoy security, dignity and human riihts, ., ~' ., ., rights. thank you, madam definite seaker. i rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank— rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank the _ rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank the honourable i speaker. i thank the honourable gentleman for most of his comments, and in _ gentleman for most of his comments, and in particular his desire to ensure — and in particular his desire to ensure that there is an extension in the cessation of histology is. and what _ the cessation of histology is. and what you — the cessation of histology is. and what you said about the broader situation, — what you said about the broader situation, the opposition front bench — situation, the opposition front bench are _ situation, the opposition front bench are in agreement about that. he asked _ bench are in agreement about that. he asked what progress has been made in ensuring _ he asked what progress has been made in ensuring the foreign office and the government's foreign policy is subject— the government's foreign policy is subject to — the government's foreign policy is subject to prop us scrutiny in this house. _ subject to prop us scrutiny in this house. and — subject to prop us scrutiny in this house, and i agree with him that there _ house, and i agree with him that there is— house, and i agree with him that there is a — house, and i agree with him that there is a sacred duty to ensure all that scrutiny is made available. i would _ that scrutiny is made available. i would point out he will have seen from _ would point out he will have seen from the — would point out he will have seen from the recent visit to the middle east by— from the recent visit to the middle east by lord cameron, the extraordinary authority a former prime _ extraordinary authority a former prime minister carrying out these tasks _ prime minister carrying out these tasks can— prime minister carrying out these tasks can bring to bear. he's the most _ tasks can bring to bear. he's the most senior— tasks can bring to bear. he's the most senior foreign minister in europe — most senior foreign minister in europe and indeed the region. i think— europe and indeed the region. i think the — europe and indeed the region. i think the house on all sides will see the — think the house on all sides will see the benefit of that in the days and months to come. this see the benefit of that in the days and months to come.— see the benefit of that in the days and months to come. this is a very serious matter. _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's priority i and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's priority in the region is security and stability for the whole of the middle east, yet today benjamin netanyahu plans to push forward with a special budget which will fund expansions of the settlement by over $80 million. as a friend we have a duty to say to israel, do not proceed, it takes us further away from peace and frankly it well risk not only the truce, but the ability to get home hostages still held. what is he doing to make sure we speak plainly to our friends? i sure we speak plainly to our friends? . ~ sure we speak plainly to our friends? ., ,, . ., ., friends? i thank the chair of the foreian friends? i thank the chair of the foreign affairs _ friends? i thank the chair of the foreign affairs select _ friends? i thank the chair of the j foreign affairs select committee friends? i thank the chair of the - foreign affairs select committee for her comments. she is entirely right that israel— her comments. she is entirely right that israel must comply with international humanitarian law. and must _ international humanitarian law. and must not _ international humanitarian law. and must not only prosecute but punish those _ must not only prosecute but punish those who — must not only prosecute but punish those who have been involved in settler— those who have been involved in settler violence. we are delivering to measures to all sides in this dreadful— to measures to all sides in this dreadful conflict, the government will continue to do so. i am grateful— will continue to do so. i am grateful for the minister for his statement. can i commend the dignity in which _ statement. can i commend the dignity in which the _ statement. can i commend the dignity in which the last speaker raise her concerns— in which the last speaker raise her concerns question what does the minister— concerns question what does the minister agreed although we want to see peace _ minister agreed although we want to see peace in the middle east with the establishment of a two state solution — the establishment of a two state solution in which israel and palestine recognise as equals with equal— palestine recognise as equals with equal responsibility to uphold law? given— equal responsibility to uphold law? given now— equal responsibility to uphold law? given now there are credible accusations of war crimes against both sides. — accusations of war crimes against both sides, with the government confirm — both sides, with the government confirm it— both sides, with the government confirm it will give full support to the court — confirm it will give full support to the court to investigate without fear of — the court to investigate without fear of favour all allocations of war crimes so that any perpetrator, regardless — war crimes so that any perpetrator, regardless of whose friend they might _ regardless of whose friend they might be, is brought tojustice before — might be, is brought tojustice before the international courts? given _ before the international courts? given it — before the international courts? given it is — before the international courts? given it is an offence to supply weapons — given it is an offence to supply weapons where they may be used in a war crime, _ weapons where they may be used in a war crime, what assessment has the government— war crime, what assessment has the government made of the locality of arms sales — government made of the locality of arms sales to the middle east? i don't _ arms sales to the middle east? i don't know— arms sales to the middle east? i don't know if the minister heard my plea for— don't know if the minister heard my plea for my— don't know if the minister heard my plea for my constituent doctor for will he _ plea for my constituent doctor for will he agreed to meet with me and her and _ will he agreed to meet with me and her and the — will he agreed to meet with me and her and the home secretary so they can find _ her and the home secretary so they can find an — her and the home secretary so they can find an effective way to get the families— can find an effective way to get the families of— can find an effective way to get the families of uk national still stuck in gaza _ families of uk national still stuck in gaza out, because if we don't get them _ in gaza out, because if we don't get them out _ in gaza out, because if we don't get them out during a ceasefire, we might— them out during a ceasefire, we might not— them out during a ceasefire, we might not get them out at all? in respect _ might not get them out at all? in respect of— might not get them out at all? in respect of the international criminal— respect of the international criminal court, both i and the lord chancellor— criminal court, both i and the lord chancellor have made clear the position — chancellor have made clear the position. it is not for government ministers, — position. it is not for government ministers, politicians to address these _ ministers, politicians to address these matters. it is for the prosecutor and administrator. in prosecutor and administrator. in terms prosecutor and administrator. terms of prosecutor and administrator. in terms of future thinking, which prosecutor and administrator. ii�*u terms of future thinking, which she identifies as critical, he will recall that the progress made at oslo, of the back of it, that is something which should give us some confidence of these dreadful sense of circumstances that we need to focus on the future and a lot of thinking is going on. in terms of his points about the arms resume, he will know the british government has the toughest arms export regime in the toughest arms export regime in the world and we adhere to it. the whole house _ the world and we adhere to it. the whole house once a sea hostages release _ whole house once a sea hostages release and aid getting in during this low— release and aid getting in during this low infighting. both sides are committed to recommence fighting. gould _ committed to recommence fighting. could i_ committed to recommence fighting. gould i ask— committed to recommence fighting. could i ask whether it is time to call for— could i ask whether it is time to call for a — could i ask whether it is time to call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look— call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look at — call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look at what the security and governance is like for the future? will he _ governance is like for the future? will he consider age joy to summit with the _ will he consider age joy to summit with the us, bringing stakeholders to look— with the us, bringing stakeholders to look at— with the us, bringing stakeholders to look at the complications as to where _ to look at the complications as to where this— to look at the complications as to where this conflict needs to resort to? ~ , where this conflict needs to resort to? y ., ., ., , , to? my right honourable friend is riaht to? my right honourable friend is ri . ht at to? my right honourable friend is right at looking _ to? my right honourable friend is right at looking to _ to? my right honourable friend is right at looking to the _ to? my right honourable friend is - right at looking to the medium-term right at looking to the medium—term and long—term and doing all that is necessary to bring people of goodwill to make progress on the two state solution. the answer to question, we his want to see all hostages released as swiftly as possible, and we want to see greater volumes of food, fuel, medicine and life—saving supplies getting into gaza, principally through the crossing, but through any other plausible means. is a crossing, but through any other plausible means. is a government's contention that _ plausible means. is a government's contention that the _ plausible means. is a government's contention that the further - contention that the further hostilities, the destruction of the south _ hostilities, the destruction of the south of— hostilities, the destruction of the south of gaza in the way we've seen the north— south of gaza in the way we've seen the north destroyed, tens of thousands more killed will lead easily— thousands more killed will lead easily to— thousands more killed will lead easily to a permanent ceasefire, or will do _ easily to a permanent ceasefire, or will do simply embolden the militants? he will do simply embolden the militants?— will do simply embolden the militants? , ., militants? he is right about the whirrin: militants? he is right about the whirring position _ militants? he is right about the whirring position that _ militants? he is right about the whirring position that exists - militants? he is right about the whirring position that exists in l militants? he is right about the i whirring position that exists in the south of gaza. he will have seen the united nations and others are looking at the possibility of islands of dcom flexion, critically around one new nurse, and the possibility there could be safe zones there in order can be dispensed. he will be aware of the dangers that have taken place and other safe stones in the past and the risks for civilians involved in it. willa will a two willa two state solution ever come to pass _ willa two state solution ever come to pass while hamas remain in charge of the _ to pass while hamas remain in charge of the gaza _ to pass while hamas remain in charge of the gaza strip? | to pass while hamas remain in charge of the gaza strip?— of the gaza strip? i don't think an one of the gaza strip? i don't think anyone thinks _ of the gaza strip? i don't think anyone thinks hamas - of the gaza strip? i don't think anyone thinks hamas will i of the gaza strip? i don't think. anyone thinks hamas will remain of the gaza strip? i don't think- anyone thinks hamas will remain in charge of the gaza strip in the medium—term or anything longer than that. it is great when the minister gives a very— it is great when the minister gives a very quick— it is great when the minister gives a very quick answers. _ it is great when the minister gives a very quick answers. which - it is great when the minister gives a very quick answers. which is i it is great when the minister gives i a very quick answers. which is what i a very quick answers. which is what i asked _ a very quick answers. which is what i asked him — a very quick answers. which is what i asked him to — a very quick answers. which is what i asked him to do. _ a very quick answers. which is what i asked him to do. the— a very quick answers. which is what i asked him to do.— i asked him to do. the prospect of the carnage _ i asked him to do. the prospect of the carnage simply _ i asked him to do. the prospect of the carnage simply resuming i i asked him to do. the prospect of the carnage simply resuming at i i asked him to do. the prospect of| the carnage simply resuming at the end of— the carnage simply resuming at the end of this — the carnage simply resuming at the end of this pause is a really dreadful— end of this pause is a really dreadful one. what is his assessment of the _ dreadful one. what is his assessment of the likelihood that it had over a period _ of the likelihood that it had over a period of— of the likelihood that it had over a period of some further days, all the hostages _ period of some further days, all the hostages are released, then that the ceasefire _ hostages are released, then that the ceasefire might be made permanent? the honourable gentleman will have seen the statements by the israeli government about the number of hostages to be released and the possibility of extending the pause in that respect. the view of the british government is we should do everything we can to ensure the hostages are released as speedily as possible, the longer this pause continues, the greater chance that is for humanitarian aid to get into gaza and for progress to be made. does my right honourable friend agree _ does my right honourable friend agree that any ceasefire considering should _ agree that any ceasefire considering should be _ agree that any ceasefire considering should be linked to the release of more _ should be linked to the release of more hostages? is it concert hamas are breaking the agreement in several— are breaking the agreement in several ways, are breaking the agreement in severalways, including are breaking the agreement in several ways, including separating parents _ several ways, including separating parents and their children when releasing — parents and their children when releasing one from the other, and they haven't even allowed the red cross _ they haven't even allowed the red cross to _ they haven't even allowed the red cross to visit all remaining hostages which has been a rule for years _ hostages which has been a rule for years is— hostages which has been a rule for ears. , _, . �* years. is he concerned? i'm immensely _ years. is he concerned? i'm immensely concerned i years. is he concerned? i'mj immensely concerned about years. is he concerned? i'm i immensely concerned about the years. is he concerned? i'm - immensely concerned about the fate of all the hostages, there were originally 240 hostages. as of midnight 58 hostages have managed to get out. 117 prisoners have been released at the same time by the israeli government. the sooner all the hostages are out, the better. like others i felt a sense of relief and watching some of the hostages emerging _ and watching some of the hostages emerging and reunited with their families — emerging and reunited with their families. the minister said this pause — families. the minister said this pause could turn into a one—off. it needn't~ _ pause could turn into a one—off. it needn't~ i— pause could turn into a one—off. it needn't. i know the issues are incredibly— needn't. i know the issues are incredibly complicated, i do know it's only— incredibly complicated, i do know it's only through international intervention we will make progress, but i wonder who could tell us what steps _ but i wonder who could tell us what steps are _ but i wonder who could tell us what steps are being taken, not to get to the two _ steps are being taken, not to get to the two state solution this point, but to— the two state solution this point, but to start a peace process between the warring _ but to start a peace process between the warring factions which will eventually, one would hope, lead to a two _ eventually, one would hope, lead to a two state — eventually, one would hope, lead to a two state solution. what steps are being _ a two state solution. what steps are being taken now by international bodies? — being taken now by international bodies? l— being taken now by international bodies? . ~ being taken now by international bodies? ., ,, ., ., bodies? i thank the right honourable lad for bodies? i thank the right honourable lady for her— bodies? i thank the right honourable lady for her interventions. _ bodies? i thank the right honourable lady for her interventions. she i lady for her interventions. she speaks with great wisdom. what i can tell her is these discussions are going on throughout the region and internationally, and britain is playing a proper part, not least by the visit last week of the foreign secretary to the region. i the visit last week of the foreign secretary to the region.- the visit last week of the foreign secretary to the region. i very much ho -e we secretary to the region. i very much hepe we can — secretary to the region. i very much hope we can extend _ secretary to the region. i very much hope we can extend the _ secretary to the region. i very much l hope we can extend the humanitarian pause _ hope we can extend the humanitarian pause the _ hope we can extend the humanitarian pause. the minister is a former service — pause. the minister is a former service man and will know the uk armed _ service man and will know the uk armed forces made extraordinary efforts— armed forces made extraordinary efforts to — armed forces made extraordinary efforts to avoid sibling casualties even _ efforts to avoid sibling casualties even when targeting terrorists, appoint— even when targeting terrorists, appoint made forcibly by me and veterans — appoint made forcibly by me and veterans. well the uk: appoint made forcibly by me and veterans. wellthe uk: israelto follow— veterans. wellthe uk: israelto follow similar standard operating procedures?— follow similar standard operating rocedures? , ., ., procedures? yes, and the foreign secretary during _ procedures? yes, and the foreign secretary during his _ procedures? yes, and the foreign secretary during his visit - procedures? yes, and the foreign secretary during his visit to israel| secretary during his visit to israel made precisely that point. the pause is honesty welcome _ made precisely that point. the pause is honesty welcome because - made precisely that point. the pause is honesty welcome because it i made precisely that point. the pause is honesty welcome because it will i is honesty welcome because it will save lives — is honesty welcome because it will save lives. the horror of october seven— save lives. the horror of october seven hasn't gone away, the disaster of the _ seven hasn't gone away, the disaster of the culling of 14,000 people in gaza hasn't gone away. there has to be a recognition, as antonio guterres— be a recognition, as antonio guterres has pointed out, of the issue _ guterres has pointed out, of the issue of— guterres has pointed out, of the issue of the occupation of the west bank and _ issue of the occupation of the west bank and the settlement policy and the violent weather which so many palestinians have had to put up with for decades and decades. does he believe _ for decades and decades. does he believe there is a role for the united — believe there is a role for the united nations to do some more to try not— united nations to do some more to try notjust — united nations to do some more to try notjust bring the ceasefire, but a _ try notjust bring the ceasefire, but a long—term piece involving the rich rural— but a long—term piece involving the rich rural of— but a long—term piece involving the rich rural of israeli forces from palestine? _ rich rural of israeli forces from palestine? the right honourable gentleman one though there is always a role _ gentleman one though there is always a role for— gentleman one though there is always a role for the united nations, but it has— a role for the united nations, but it has to — a role for the united nations, but it has to be — a role for the united nations, but it has to be adapted to the circumstances. what he says about a ceasefire. _ circumstances. what he says about a ceasefire, which i have head and say before, _ ceasefire, which i have head and say before, is— ceasefire, which i have head and say before, is f ted by the fact hamas have _ before, is f ted by the fact hamas have made — before, is f ted by the fact hamas have made it clear they don't want to ceasefire, they want to repeat what _ to ceasefire, they want to repeat what they— to ceasefire, they want to repeat what they did on october seven, the day of— what they did on october seven, the day of those terrible events. in order— day of those terrible events. in order to — day of those terrible events. in order to have a ceasefire you need to site _ order to have a ceasefire you need to site who — order to have a ceasefire you need to site who wanted, that is clearly not available on this occasion. the conflict _ not available on this occasion. the conflict in — not available on this occasion. the conflict in a — not available on this occasion. the conflict in a middle east is tragic, complex— conflict in a middle east is tragic, complex and protracted. whilst the house _ complex and protracted. whilst the house is— complex and protracted. whilst the house is broadly aligned on the need to defeat— house is broadly aligned on the need to defeat hamas, could the minister reassure _ to defeat hamas, could the minister reassure me of the efforts undertaken to urge restraint amongst all protagonists in the protection of civilians and noncombatants in gaza? _ of civilians and noncombatants in gaza? �* ., ., , , of civilians and noncombatants in gaza? �* ., , . ., of civilians and noncombatants in gaza? ., . ., gaza? britain has been clear about the importance _ gaza? britain has been clear about the importance of _ gaza? britain has been clear about the importance of respecting i the importance of respecting international humanitarian law in all circumstances. the international humanitarian law in all circumstances.— international humanitarian law in all circumstances. the minister must be concerned — all circumstances. the minister must be concerned by _ all circumstances. the minister must be concerned by those _ all circumstances. the minister must be concerned by those who - all circumstances. the minister must be concerned by those who seek i all circumstances. the minister must be concerned by those who seek to l be concerned by those who seek to play down — be concerned by those who seek to play down what has actually happened to innocent israelis in the middle east _ to innocent israelis in the middle east he — to innocent israelis in the middle east. he must be gutted and alarmed neighbouring state of hours, the prime _ neighbouring state of hours, the prime minister described the victims as nature _ prime minister described the victims as nature girl kidnapped and abused, described _ as nature girl kidnapped and abused, described her as lost, lost. unbelievable. i wonder of the minister— unbelievable. i wonder of the minister is concerned by the ever—increasing extremism, the anti-nato _ ever—increasing extremism, the anti—nato attitude, and the anti—semites attitude emanating from the republic of ireland. will he have _ the republic of ireland. will he have a — the republic of ireland. will he have a word with that country towards — have a word with that country towards its attitude? the have a word with that country towards its attitude? ., towards its attitude? the government has been clear— towards its attitude? the government has been clear on _ towards its attitude? the government has been clear on where _ towards its attitude? the government has been clear on where it _ towards its attitude? the government has been clear on where it stands i towards its attitude? the government has been clear on where it stands in l has been clear on where it stands in terms of anti—semitism and prejudice. we condemn each and will continue to do so.— prejudice. we condemn each and will continue to do so. there has been no -ause continue to do so. there has been no ause in continue to do so. there has been no pause in violence _ continue to do so. there has been no pause in violence in _ continue to do so. there has been no pause in violence in the _ continue to do so. there has been no pause in violence in the west - continue to do so. there has been no pause in violence in the west bank, i pause in violence in the west bank, whether— pause in violence in the west bank, whether largely defenceless population have been subjected to a campaign _ population have been subjected to a campaign of what the americans and french— campaign of what the americans and french have referred to as terror. the minister said he is delivering, asking _ the minister said he is delivering, asking tough questions to both sides. — asking tough questions to both sides, but when will those tough messages turn into tough action? the americans— messages turn into tough action? the americans have said they will likely take visa _ americans have said they will likely take visa bans against settlers perpetrating violence, but we've been _ perpetrating violence, but we've been talking about it for years to little _ been talking about it for years to little or— been talking about it for years to little or no — been talking about it for years to little or no effect. isn't there a strong — little or no effect. isn't there a strong case of achieving a two state solution _ strong case of achieving a two state solution for — strong case of achieving a two state solution for us to take firm action against _ solution for us to take firm action against settlers, those who arm and support _ against settlers, those who arm and support them? the against settlers, those who arm and sopport them?— against settlers, those who arm and support them? the foreign secretary delivered a very _ support them? the foreign secretary delivered a very strong _ support them? the foreign secretary delivered a very strong message i support them? the foreign secretary| delivered a very strong message when he was in rome allah, and when he saw the government. the importance of scotland stopping violence, the perpetrators could be put before the courts. the release of hostages and the increase — the release of hostages and the increase in aid is clearly very much to be _ increase in aid is clearly very much to be welcomed, but i'm sure the minister— to be welcomed, but i'm sure the minister and house agrees only a political— minister and house agrees only a political solution can bring about a lasting _ political solution can bring about a lasting peace. in that spirit, will he support labour's calls for a new middle _ he support labour's calls for a new middle east envoy? i wasn't clear from _ middle east envoy? iwasn't clear from his— middle east envoy? i wasn't clear from his answer to the chair of the foreign _ from his answer to the chair of the foreign affairs select committee. will he _ foreign affairs select committee. will he condemn, does the uk say it is opposed _ will he condemn, does the uk say it is opposed to the settlement? the osition of is opposed to the settlement? the: position of the is opposed to the settlement? tie: position of the british is opposed to the settlement? the: position of the british government in terms of the legal settlement is absolutely clear. in terms of the possibility of having an envoy, there are a whole range of envoys engaged in this. if it was appropriate for us to deploy an envoy on behalf of the government, either a humanitarian envoy or political one around the region, we would have no hesitation in doing it. , , , , ., would have no hesitation in doing it. despite the pores over the last few da s, it. despite the pores over the last few days. the _ it. despite the pores over the last few days, the humanitarian i it. despite the pores over the last i few days, the humanitarian situation in gaza _ few days, the humanitarian situation in gaza remains catastrophic. and it is likely— in gaza remains catastrophic. and it is likely to _ in gaza remains catastrophic. and it is likely to continue to be catastrophic. while no one doubts the right— catastrophic. while no one doubts the right of israel to defend itself, — the right of israel to defend itself, the fact is that it is an occupving _ itself, the fact is that it is an occupying power, and as such has clear— occupying power, and as such has clear legal— occupying power, and as such has clear legal obligations to the civilians _ clear legal obligations to the civilians of gaza. well my right honourable friend, when he next speaks _ honourable friend, when he next speaks to— honourable friend, when he next speaks to his israeli opposite number, _ speaks to his israeli opposite number, remind him of those obligations and ensure even after the pause — obligations and ensure even after the pause ends, sufficient aid is allowed — the pause ends, sufficient aid is allowed to go through to the population of gaza? we allowed to go through to the population of gaza?- allowed to go through to the population of gaza? we are doing eve hinu population of gaza? we are doing everything we _ population of gaza? we are doing everything we can _ population of gaza? we are doing everything we can through - population of gaza? we are doing everything we can through the i population of gaza? we are doing i everything we can through the united nations, through other contacts in the region to make sure aid and support gets through to those who need it so desperately, and he may rest assured we will continue to do that. ~ ., ., ., ., rest assured we will continue to do that. . ., ., ., ., ., that. we are now going to leave the house of commons, _ that. we are now going to leave the house of commons, and _ that. we are now going to leave the house of commons, and they i that. we are now going to leave the house of commons, and they were | house of commons, and they were questions on the ongoing situation in the middle east and the shadow foreign secretary tabled an urgent question, but interestingly it was a foreign office minister rather than the foreign secretary answering those questions. that is because david cameron does not set in the house of commons. that is it with a sour, but there's plenty more on the developments as it is the fourth and final day of the current truce in the middle east. you can go to the bbc news website to get the latest on today's likely hostage releases and the release of prisoners who have been held in israeli jails who are palestinian. this is bbc news. the big decisions when they felt they should have been. live from london, this is bbc news. hopes that the truce in gaza could be extended — i4 israelis were released by hamas overnight, and more are expected in the next few hours. in the west bank, there were celebrations as 39 more palestinian prisoners were freed, as part of the exchange deal. i'm anna foster here in tel aviv, where the relatives of hostages have gathered over recent days to wait for news of the latest israelis to be freed. supply trucks continue to enter gaza — but the united nations says the aid barely registers against the needs of 1.7 million displaced people. and in the uk, mayor of london sadiq khan tells the covid inquiry says he was "kept in the dark" over the severity of covid at the beginning of the pandemic. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live — there's growing international pressure on israel and hamas to extend the temporary truce in gaza, which will otherwise end later today. egyptian security sources say negotiators are close to achieving a new deal. both sides have indicated they are ready for an extension. let's go straight to my colleague in tel aviv. just in the last few moments, the afp news agency is reporting that israel's prime minister says the families have been informed ahead of the hostage releases coming today.