Immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict

That this House believes that only a two-state solution can deliver the security which both Palestinians and Israelis deserve; further believes that Hamas cannot be allowed to continue in charge of Gaza; condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023; deplores the violence in the weeks since; notes with horror the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, affecting millions of innocent Palestinian civilians, the ongoing hostage situation and the risk of regional escalation; notes that it is increasingly clear there will be no military solution that will eliminate Hamas and that movement towards a political solution is needed; accordingly urges the Government to call for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to provide space to achieve that political solution; further notes that such a ceasefire would be contingent on both parties sticking to it and that if one party breaks the ceasefire, a military option remains on the table; believes that this is not an end goal but a step towards peace; disagrees with those who advocate freezing the conflict, which leaves Hamas in charge of Gaza and does not look to the future; and notes that an immediate bilateral ceasefire would provide time to facilitate the delivery of aid into Gaza, facilitate the release of the hostages and provide space to intensify diplomacy towards delivering a political solution with Hamas out of Gaza, two states and a lasting peace.