was working. we are piling misery on misery. parry— was working. we are piling misery on misery. parry ask my honourable friehds _ misery. parry ask my honourable friends to— misery. parry ask my honourable friends to make sure the british government renews its plea for as great _ government renews its plea for as great as— government renews its plea for as great as precision as possible in the pursuit of the terrorists so we don't _ the pursuit of the terrorists so we don't lose — the pursuit of the terrorists so we don't lose more civilian lives in that— don't lose more civilian lives in that way? _ don't lose more civilian lives in that way? he don't lose more civilian lives in that way?— don't lose more civilian lives in thatwa ? ,, . , . that way? he speaks with experience, and we are doing _ that way? he speaks with experience, and we are doing exactly _ that way? he speaks with experience, and we are doing exactly that. - that way? he speaks with experience, and we are doing exactly that. after. and we are doing exactly that. after the unjustifiable _ and we are doing exactly that. after the unjustifiable murder ofjewish the unjustifiable murder of jewish peopte _ the unjustifiable murder of jewish people in— the unjustifiable murder ofjewish people in israel, the countless raping — people in israel, the countless raping of— people in israel, the countless raping of israeli and jewish women, is the _ raping of israeli and jewish women, is the minister disappointed the united — is the minister disappointed the united nations women's group made the most _ united nations women's group made the most facile statement that could not even _ the most facile statement that could not even use the rape in describing what _ not even use the rape in describing what had _ not even use the rape in describing what had happened? will he use his influence _ what had happened? will he use his influence in drawing the attention of the _ influence in drawing the attention of the united nations to getting on side in _ of the united nations to getting on side in this issue and conserving sexual— side in this issue and conserving sexual violence against women and the rape _ sexual violence against women and the rape of— sexual violence against women and the rape of women? just because they are jews _ the rape of women? just because they are jews doesn't mean they are matter— are jews doesn't mean they are matter -- — are jews doesn't mean they are matter —— they don't matter. are jews doesn't mean they are matter -- they don't matter. these re orts matter -- they don't matter. these reports are — matter -- they don't matter. these reports are shocking. _ matter -- they don't matter. these reports are shocking. we _ matter -- they don't matter. these reports are shocking. we condemn| reports are shocking. we condemn rape as rape. the reports are shocking. we condemn rape as rape-— rape as rape. the more details we learn of the _ rape as rape. the more details we learn of the barbaric _ rape as rape. the more details we learn of the barbaric attacks - rape as rape. the more details we learn of the barbaric attacks of. rape as rape. the more details we | learn of the barbaric attacks of the 7th of _ learn of the barbaric attacks of the 7th of october and the treatment of the victims, especially the women, the victims, especially the women, the more _ the victims, especially the women, the more horrific it becomes. one can only— the more horrific it becomes. one can only imagine the anguish of the families— can only imagine the anguish of the families of— can only imagine the anguish of the families of the victims that go through— families of the victims that go through on a daily basis. can my right— through on a daily basis. can my right honourable friend tell me what support _ right honourable friend tell me what sopport is— right honourable friend tell me what support is being provided to the fanrilies— support is being provided to the families of the victims of hamas? that is— families of the victims of hamas? that is a — families of the victims of hamas? that is a terribly good question, and a large proportion of our triple humanitarian budget will be tried as —— channelled through unicef, which will support women. i -- channelled through unicef, which will support women.— -- channelled through unicef, which will support women. i must press the minister because _ will support women. i must press the minister because i _ will support women. i must press the minister because i don't _ will support women. i must press the minister because i don't feel - will support women. i must press the minister because i don't feel he - will support women. i must press the minister because i don't feel he has l minister because i don't feel he has answered _ minister because i don't feel he has answered on what the government's strategy— answered on what the government's strategy is, — answered on what the government's strategy is, particularly the political— strategy is, particularly the political one. we all feel it so strongly~ _ political one. we all feel it so strongly. no child should ever be the target of a terrorist or in any conflict, — the target of a terrorist or in any conflict, so _ the target of a terrorist or in any conflict, so what is the government's political strategy to protect _ government's political strategy to protect the lives of children? our strate: protect the lives of children? our strategy is _ protect the lives of children? our strategy is to _ protect the lives of children? or" strategy is to exert all efforts to bring about peace.— strategy is to exert all efforts to bring about peace. growing success in caettin bring about peace. growing success in getting eighttwo _ bring about peace. growing success in getting eighttwo gaza _ bring about peace. growing success in getting eighttwo gaza and - bring about peace. growing success in getting eighttwo gaza and the . in getting eighttwo gaza and the tripling — in getting eighttwo gaza and the tripling of uk aid, but even as my right— tripling of uk aid, but even as my right honourable friend works urgently— right honourable friend works urgently to get aid in to the people of gaza, _ urgently to get aid in to the people of gaza, will the government redouble its efforts to bring diplomatic solution so we can grow humanitarian pauses into a just and lasting _ humanitarian pauses into a just and lasting peace and a two state solution? . . , lasting peace and a two state solution? , . , , lasting peace and a two state solution?— lasting peace and a two state solution? , . , , ., , solution? our strategy is to use diplomatic _ solution? our strategy is to use diplomatic efforts _ solution? our strategy is to use diplomatic efforts in _ solution? our strategy is to use diplomatic efforts in concert - solution? our strategy is to use | diplomatic efforts in concert with humanitarian effort to bring about a situation whereby diplomacy can take effect, and the foundations can be laid of a long—term peace. clearly we aren't there yet, but it will require diplomatic effort across the region, and the close relationship with many parties, not something to which we can bring a great deal of expertise and utility. what which we can bring a great deal of expertise and utility. what actions have a government _ expertise and utility. what actions have a government implemented, i expertise and utility. what actions - have a government implemented, and how has— have a government implemented, and how has it _ have a government implemented, and how has it involved destabilisation and mediation in conducting a risk assessment of israel's actions in gaza? _ assessment of israel's actions in gaza? ., , assessment of israel's actions in gaza? ,, , assessment of israel's actions in gaza? ,, , ., ., assessment of israel's actions in gaza? ,, ., ., gaza? those issues are woven into the fabric of _ gaza? those issues are woven into the fabric of our _ gaza? those issues are woven into the fabric of our diplomacy. - gaza? those issues are woven into the fabric of our diplomacy. they l the fabric of our diplomacy. they are hugely important in all our work across the middle east, but not so here. . ., ., here. the committee for the protection — here. the committee for the protection of _ here. the committee for the protection of journalists - here. the committee for the protection of journalists has| here. the committee for the - protection of journalists has said protection ofjournalists has said 57 palestinianjournalists protection ofjournalists has said 57 palestinian journalists have protection ofjournalists has said 57 palestinianjournalists have been killed _ 57 palestinianjournalists have been killed in— 57 palestinianjournalists have been killed in the gaza strip since the 7th of— killed in the gaza strip since the 7th of october. they say that is the worst _ 7th of october. they say that is the worst period for the killing of journalists since they started keeping _ journalists since they started keeping records in 1982. does that notjust_ keeping records in 1982. does that notjust illustrate the holy indiscriminate nature of what is treing _ indiscriminate nature of what is being done by idf? will he place upon _ being done by idf? will he place upon the — being done by idf? will he place upon the benjamin netanyahu government the complete and exact ability— government the complete and exact ability of— government the complete and exact ability of that situation? i government the complete and exact ability of that situation?— ability of that situation? i don't share his descriptions - ability of that situation? i don't share his descriptions of- share his descriptions of indiscriminate, i don't accept it. i take seriously his notes about 57 journalists, that is tragic. i would take issue with his characterisation as holy indiscriminate. we make representations to israel to constrain and focus their operations, and we will continue to do so. ~ ,., operations, and we will continue to do so. ~ . , operations, and we will continue to do so. ~ . i. operations, and we will continue to doso. ~ . , , do so. like so many of the members of this house. _ do so. like so many of the members of this house, i _ do so. like so many of the members of this house, i receive _ do so. like so many of the members of this house, i receive hundreds - do so. like so many of the members of this house, i receive hundreds ofl of this house, i receive hundreds of e-mails _ of this house, i receive hundreds of e-mails this— of this house, i receive hundreds of e—mails this weekend from newport constituents horrified at the continuing killing of palestinian innocent — continuing killing of palestinian innocent men and women. they want the killing _ innocent men and women. they want the killing to stop. well the minister— the killing to stop. well the minister condemn acts of violence and extremism by israeli settlements in the _ and extremism by israeli settlements in the west bank and call on the authorities to prevent violence, ensure — authorities to prevent violence, ensure accountability for perpetrators and condemn extremist rhetoric _ perpetrators and condemn extremist rhetoric was this government is on record. _ rhetoric was this government is on record. and — rhetoric was this government is on record, and i've said it already, we do condemn— record, and i've said it already, we do condemn and have condemned violence _ do condemn and have condemned violence in — do condemn and have condemned violence in the west bank. we must be clear the — violence in the west bank. we must be clear the military _ violence in the west bank. we must be clear the military operation - violence in the west bank. we must be clear the military operation is - be clear the military operation is under way in gaza because of the terrorist atrocity carried out by hamas in the summer of october. that is the terrible and tragic truth. over 15,000 civilians have now been killed _ over 15,000 civilians have now been killed in— over 15,000 civilians have now been killed in gaza, israel's merge operations have not abated following the pause _ operations have not abated following the pause in fighting. what specific requests _ the pause in fighting. what specific requests is the government make into it is ready— requests is the government make into it is ready counterpart to stop the killing? _ it is ready counterpart to stop the killing? when the minister says a ceasefire — killing? when the minister says a ceasefire is premature, it sounds like a _ ceasefire is premature, it sounds like a tacit— ceasefire is premature, it sounds like a tacit acceptance of disproportionate, indiscriminate destruction of areas is a legitimate means— destruction of areas is a legitimate means of— destruction of areas is a legitimate means of israel pursuing its war aims~ _ means of israel pursuing its war aims at— means of israel pursuing its war aims. �* . means of israel pursuing its war aims. . . ., ., , , aims. a ceasefire would only be ossible aims. a ceasefire would only be possible if— aims. a ceasefire would only be possible if hamas _ aims. a ceasefire would only be possible if hamas hadn't - aims. a ceasefire would only be possible if hamas hadn't stated | aims. a ceasefire would only be i possible if hamas hadn't stated its attempt to wipe israel off the map and to perpetrate another atrocity of the nature of the seventh october. we are arguing for a humanitarian pause to bring de—escalation and allow the further flow of humanitarian aid. i de-escalation and allow the further flow of humanitarian aid.— de-escalation and allow the further flow of humanitarian aid. i echo the calls for a long-term _ flow of humanitarian aid. i echo the calls for a long-term political - calls for a long—term political solution _ calls for a long—term political solution to this conflict, as an end to the _ solution to this conflict, as an end to the international community, resigning — to the international community, resigning into the two difficult pile~ — resigning into the two difficult pile~ in— resigning into the two difficult pile. in an absence of a ceasefire, does _ pile. in an absence of a ceasefire, does the — pile. in an absence of a ceasefire, does the minister recognise and reinforce — does the minister recognise and reinforce the warnings from united states— reinforce the warnings from united states and — reinforce the warnings from united states and others that israel's actions — states and others that israel's actions in _ states and others that israel's actions in gaza must be proportionate? otherwise they are clear breach of international law as a, hence _ clear breach of international law as a, hence the amount of evidence on the ground — a, hence the amount of evidence on the ground working in gaza strongly suggests _ the ground working in gaza strongly suggests. he cares deeply about humanitarian issues, so will he agree _ humanitarian issues, so will he agree that _ humanitarian issues, so will he agree that sending qr codes to evacuate — agree that sending qr codes to evacuate when there is no power or internet _ evacuate when there is no power or internet is — evacuate when there is no power or internet is inadequate and can't protect— internet is inadequate and can't protect civilians quest rock we continue — protect civilians quest rock we continue to call on israel to abide by law, _ continue to call on israel to abide by law, the — continue to call on israel to abide by law, the response must be proportioned. we by law, the response must be proportioned-— by law, the response must be --roortioned. ~ _, ., . proportioned. we continue to argue stronal on proportioned. we continue to argue strongly on that. — proportioned. we continue to argue strongly on that, embedded - proportioned. we continue to argue strongly on that, embedded in - proportioned. we continue to argue strongly on that, embedded in the l strongly on that, embedded in the gaza strip. fin strongly on that, embedded in the gaza stri -. ._ ., , , ., strongly on that, embedded in the gaza stri. ., , , ., . gaza strip. on friday the hopes of a en and gaza strip. on friday the hopes of a pen and ceasefire _ gaza strip. on friday the hopes of a pen and ceasefire went _ gaza strip. on friday the hopes of a pen and ceasefire went to _ gaza strip. on friday the hopes of a pen and ceasefire went to despair i pen and ceasefire went to despair with the _ pen and ceasefire went to despair with the collective punishment and killing _ with the collective punishment and killing of— with the collective punishment and killing of civilians, a large proportion of whom are women and children— proportion of whom are women and children in— proportion of whom are women and children in what the un are calling unprecedented numbers. the secretary of state _ unprecedented numbers. the secretary of state has _ unprecedented numbers. the secretary of state has said a ceasefire would be premature. can he clarify whether there _ be premature. can he clarify whether there is _ be premature. can he clarify whether there is any— be premature. can he clarify whether there is any limit at all the number of policy— there is any limit at all the number of policy and civilians that this government support killing before calling _ government support killing before calling for a pennant ceasefire guestion— calling for a pennant ceasefire question mark can explain what he understands to be the long—term plan with regards to gaza and how this plan is _ with regards to gaza and how this plan is in — with regards to gaza and how this plan is in keeping international law _ plan is in keeping international law. . , , plan is in keeping international law. , �*, plan is in keeping international law. 2 ., plan is in keeping international law. regrettably, it's not the case hamas wants _ law. regrettably, it's not the case hamas wants a _ law. regrettably, it's not the case hamas wants a ceasefire. - law. regrettably, it's not the case hamas wants a ceasefire. it - law. regrettably, it's not the case hamas wants a ceasefire. it will. law. regrettably, it's not the case| hamas wants a ceasefire. it will be good if that was the case. they are terrorist group committed to the destruction of israel, and they are on record as stating their desire to perpetrate another atrocity on the scale of the 7th of october. while thatis scale of the 7th of october. while that is the fact, the consequence inevitably is an israeli military response. we support their right to protect their sovereignty. we implore them to show constraints, and we will argue for a further humanitarian pause to allow aid to flow. . . . humanitarian pause to allow aid to flow. ,. ,. ._ humanitarian pause to allow aid to flow. , . , . . , . ~' flow. israel is clearly undertaking an act of cleansing _ flow. israel is clearly undertaking an act of cleansing of— flow. israel is clearly undertaking an act of cleansing of the - flow. israel is clearly undertaking an act of cleansing of the entire l an act of cleansing of the entire population of gaza. it is a legal within— population of gaza. it is a legal within international law, and is in no way— within international law, and is in no way a — within international law, and is in no way a proportionate response to the events _ no way a proportionate response to the events of some of october. could i ask the events of some of october. could i ask him. _ the events of some of october. could i ask him, what does he think israel's — i ask him, what does he think israel's long—term objective is? is it to expel— i