Foreign Secretary David Lammy has expressed being “appalled, sickened” by what he described as the “grotesque” targeting of starving Palestinians by the Israeli military, and warned of further sanctions if the war does not end soon. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Lammy said he deeply regretted that the UK cannot unilaterally end the conflict, but insisted that no UK arms licences are being used in Gaza and that RAF surveillance flights do not share intelligence with Israel.
Israel launched air raids and a ground operation in Deir al-Balah on Monday, a key hub for humanitarian efforts. Over the weekend, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 93 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire while queueing for food, marking the highest death toll in nearly two years. The UK has joined 27 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and France, in condemning Israel for depriving Palestinians of “human dignity” and urging the lifting of aid restrictions.
Rights groups such as Amnesty International dismissed the joint statement as “empty words”, calling for a halt to all arms exports, including components for F-35 fighter jets. Lammy defended the UK’s position, stating that over 300 arms licences remain in operation but that sales “that can be used in Gaza” have been suspended. He added, “I’m satisfied that we are not in any way complicit in a breach of international humanitarian law.”
Lammy acknowledged that the UK cannot force an end to the war alone, saying, “I wish we could, but the truth is … we are unable to do that just as the United Kingdom. We have to work in partnership with our allies.” He warned that if the conflict continues, “there will be more action”, and noted that the UK has already imposed a “raft of sanctions” in recent months, with further measures under consideration.
Asked about RAF flights over Gaza, Lammy confirmed they do not share intelligence with Israel, stating, “We are not assisting, and it would be quite wrong for the British government to assist in the prosecution of this war in Gaza.” He reiterated his shock at the killing of children seeking food, saying, “When you see innocent children holding out their hand for food, and you see them shot and killed … of course Britain must call it out.”
