Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 3 April 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 April 2017. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 April 2017 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mazen Faqha

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the killing of a senior Hamas member, Mazen Faqha, in Gaza; and what assessment they have made of the repercussions of that killing.

Answer: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received reports of the killing. There remains an urgent need for all the parties to reach an agreement that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict in Gaza and to take the necessary steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery. Any agreement should ensure that Hamas and other militant groups permanently end rocket and other attacks against Israel; the Palestinian Authority resumes control of Gaza and restores effective governance; and that Israel lifts its restrictions to ease the suffering of ordinary Palestinians.

Secondary information