British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has acknowledged that his comments about Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza “could have been clearer” after stating in Parliament that the action constituted a “breach” of international law. The remarks, made during a Commons session on Monday, sparked confusion over the government’s official stance, as the prime minister’s spokesperson later clarified that Israel is “at risk” of breaching international humanitarian law, not that it has already done so. Lammy emphasized to Bloomberg that it is ultimately “a matter for the court” to determine whether international law was violated, but he stood by his concern, stating it was “difficult to see how denying humanitarian assistance to a civilian population can be compatible with international humanitarian law.”
The controversy comes as Israel launched its largest wave of airstrikes on Gaza since the recent ceasefire, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 400 deaths. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that this was “just the beginning.” Since March 2, Israel has blocked all food, fuel, and medicine from entering Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into making new concessions, drawing widespread international criticism. During Monday’s Commons debate, Lammy called the lack of aid “unacceptable, hugely alarming, and very worrying,” urging Israel to allow more aid trucks into Gaza.
The prime minister’s spokesperson reiterated that the government believes Israel’s actions are “at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law” but stopped short of declaring an outright breach, noting that such determinations are for international courts to make. Lammy also referenced his decision in September to suspend arms sales to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that the weapons could be used in violations of international humanitarian law. As the situation in Gaza escalates, the UK government faces mounting pressure to clarify its stance on Israel’s actions and their compliance with international law, with Lammy’s remarks highlighting the delicate balance the government must strike in addressing this complex issue.
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