Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has voiced 'serious concerns about a breach in international humanitarian law' regarding Israel's military offensive in Gaza, stating that 'far too many people have died'. The comments come six months after the 7 October Hamas attack, which killed around 1,140 people and saw 240 hostages taken, and amid a Palestinian death toll of at least 33,037, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Lammy told Sky News that it was important to remember the hostages still held in Gaza, noting that hostage Elad Katzir had been confirmed dead. He echoed concerns raised by senior British judges and former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger about potential breaches of international law. Lammy reiterated his call for Foreign Secretary David Cameron to publish any legal advice the government has received on the matter, suggesting a Labour government would publish a 'summary of legal advice' on issues of war.
However, Lammy stopped short of backing calls from London mayor Sadiq Khan and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for an immediate ban on UK arms sales to Israel. Labour would only push for an end to sales if legal advice to ministers indicated continued sales could risk the UK breaching international law.
The conflict has exposed divisions within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's cabinet. Cameron has warned that UK support for Israel is 'not unconditional', while Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden insisted Israel was being held to 'incredibly high standards'. Dowden stated the UK would stop arms sales if Israel were found in breach of international law, but said there were no plans to change export rules. This follows a leaked recording of Conservative MP Alicia Kearns suggesting the government had received advice that Israel had breached international humanitarian law.
