HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN GAZA

That this House expresses grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the decision by the State of Israel to declare it a hostile entity; notes that this further isolated the 1.5 million Palestinian residents of this occupied territory, 1.1 million of whom have to survive on food handouts; further notes that shortages of medical supplies are reported by the United Nations; considers that future Israeli measures could involve cutting off crucial supplies including food, fuel, electricity and water; believes that such measures would not deter the firing of Kassam rockets but would have a devastating effect on the humanitarian situation in Gaza with a detrimental impact on public health; further believes that the continued political and economic isolation of Gaza will jeopardise the prospects for a lasting peace and for any future negotiations to be credible and successful; and therefore calls upon the UK Government to make the strongest possible representations to the Israeli government that such measures are wholly unacceptable and tantamount to collective punishment and a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.