Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important to put that on the record. The ambassador has had a long time to respond to initial questions. Equally, the people who contacted me abhorred the firing of rockets at innocent Israeli targets as well. That should also be put on the record.

Will Israel contribute to the cost of rebuilding vital and strategic infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals and schools? The ambassador referred to that in his speech as the next stage. Can he tell us with conviction that Israel is still committed to a two-state solution? How can he marry Israel's latest plans to develop more settlements in the West Bank with the stated aim of a two-state solution? I did not clearly follow the response he gave to the Chairman and I look forward to reading it in the Official Report later, but how does the recent decision by the Israeli authorities to annex or appropriate almost 1,000 acres of land, which will be the largest annexation of land in almost 30 years, tie in with the Oslo Accord and the different zones of A, B and C? In addition, as it is clear that the blockade on Gaza must be lifted completely to allow for the full movement of people and goods in both directions, which would be in line with Israel's obligations under international law, how soon can we expect Israel to adhere to the conditions of the ceasefire agreement?

Can the ambassador inform us of what proposals Israel has to provide compensation for victims of the recent conflict in Gaza, given that under international law Israel is the occupying power and is therefore obliged to provide for the welfare of the occupied population?