The British government has warned Israel that it may withhold weapons if the Red Cross is not allowed access to imprisoned Hamas fighters, Israeli media reported.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is said to have warned Israeli officials that Europe could declare an “arms embargo” if Israel continues to deny access to prisoners. new news newspaper Thursday’s newspaper.
It follows reports that the British government is considering withholding weapons if Israel invades the Gaza city of Rafah, after Lord Cameron wrote to parliament’s foreign affairs select committee saying he could not see how to attack the Gaza city without harming civilians and causing destruction. Law launches an offensive. home.
The former prime minister expressed “deep concern” at the prospect of an offensive.
“We do not underestimate the devastating humanitarian impact of a full-scale ground offensive under these circumstances,” he said.
“We continue to urge Israel to ensure that its operations are limited to military targets and to take all possible measures to avoid harming civilians and destroying homes,” he added.
British officials are now reportedly demanding International Committee of the Red Cross The ICRC is allowed to visit Hamas prisoners in Israel to ensure compliance with international law.
Israel “has an obligation to ensure increased humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” foreign secretary says
(PA line)
new news newspaper It was also reported that British lawyers visited Israel to study the issue and made recommendations that all Israeli prisoners, including Hamas suspects, should be allowed Red Cross visits.
Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee LBBC She expected the government to issue a decision “within a week” on whether Israel still upholds international law and continues to provide weapons.
She said: “I pressed the government last week and again this week to ask if our assessment had changed or if Israel was complying with international law. The response was that we are currently conducting an assessment and will be back in the house soon.”
She added: “I would be very surprised if we don’t hear this within a week.”
Lord Cameron’s alleged challenge to the Israeli government comes as Western countries face growing pressure to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Canada’s House of Commons decided to halt future arms sales to Israel following a non-binding vote earlier this week.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has warned Israel that it has a legal responsibility to address the “urgent and enormous” humanitarian needs of Palestinians in Gaza.
Supreme cleric Justin Welby said international law requires “quick and unimpeded” humanitarian aid to civilians, but he accused the Israeli government of blocking access.
The archbishop warned that if nothing changes, “famine is imminent” and children are already dying of starvation and dehydration.
“Israel’s prosecution of this war has devastated much of the Gaza Strip – destroying infrastructure vital to human survival,” he said.
Britain will not reveal arms export licenses issued to Israel in the final quarter of last year until later this year. In 2022, the UK issued export licenses worth £42 million to Israel.
An FCDO spokesperson said: “We continually review recommendations regarding Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law and will act on that recommendation.
“All export license applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against strategic export license criteria.”
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