The following Answer to an Urgent Question was given in the House of Commons on Thursday 6 February.
“I am grateful to my honourable friend for raising this important matter, and for the Urgent Question being granted. The whole House will be well aware that, for the people of Gaza, so many of whom have lost lives, homes or loved ones, the last 14 months of conflict have been a living nightmare.
The UK is clear that we must see a negotiated two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel, with Jerusalem as the shared capital. That has been the framework for peace for decades. Our priority remains ensuring that the fragile ceasefire continues, that all the hostages are released, that much-needed aid gets into Gaza and that we can rebuild that pathway to sustainable peace. Palestinians must determine the future of Gaza, with support from regional states and the wider international community.
We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives. That is a right guaranteed under international law. Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians and remains an integral part of what must become a future Palestinian state, with Palestinians living next to Israelis in peace and security. The US has played a critical role, alongside Qatar and Egypt, in negotiating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. As honourable Members may know, the Prime Minister reiterated that in his call with President Trump. We must now work together to ensure that the ceasefire is implemented in full and becomes permanent.
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