Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will visit Gaza to assess the humanitarian situation as a matter of urgency. [1189]

Mr Andrew Mitchell MP; Secretary of State for International Development: I am extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and hope to visit as soon as possible to assess the conditions for myself.

Officials from my Department are closely monitoring events on the ground, including through regular visits to Gaza. I also met this week with John Ging, Head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)'s operations on Wednesday 2 June, who briefed me in detail on the current situation.