To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with Israel and Egypt in order to reduce fuel shortages in Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

We hold Israel, as the occupying power of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, responsible for ensuring that the basic needs of the population in Gaza are met. This includes the provision of fuel.

Israel continues to provide 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity per day directly to Gaza which meets approximately 43% of Gaza's power needs and is paid for by the Palestinian Authority. Egypt provides a further 17MW and the balance of Gaza's power needs (approximately I40MW) should be met by the Gaza power plant. The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company is now buying diesel fuel, which is sourced via tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, to operate two turbines in the power station to produce 60MW, and has not requested any industrial fuel from Israel since 5 January 2011.

The majority of the population still experience power cuts. While these are now shorter in duration and less frequent than in late 2010, they continue to cause significant hardship and unnecessary suffering to ordinary Gazans. There are ongoing discussions between relevant parties on how to enhance the provision of electricity and other fuel supplies in Gaza.

The UK regularly raises issues relating to the situation in Gaza, and the restrictions faced by the local population, with the Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian authorities.