UK Mideast minister: Israel鈥檚 actions leaving its allies 鈥榩retty challenged鈥�

A Palestinian man reacts as he searches for casualties at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, May 14, 2024. (Reuters)
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  • Lord Ahmad: Many are uneasy about adherence to international humanitarian law
  • UK FM opposes arms ban despite 鈥榞rave concerns around humanitarian access issue in Gaza鈥�

LONDON: The UK鈥檚 Middle East minister has warned that the war in Gaza is causing Israel鈥檚 allies numerous problems over allegations that it has broken international humanitarian law, the Daily Telegraph reported.

鈥淚 think Israel is really leaving many of its partners, including ourselves, pretty challenged on where we are currently on the issue of IHL, and how they are fulfilling their obligations,鈥� Lord Ahmad told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

鈥淚srael has obligations. We are allies of Israel and as a constructive friend to Israel, we鈥檇 land these points very directly to them.鈥�

On Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said an arms ban against Israel would not be 鈥渁 wise path.鈥�

In April, he said the UK鈥檚 stance on selling arms to Israel was 鈥渃onsistent with the advice that I and other ministers have received, and as ever we will keep the position under review.

鈥淟et me be clear, though, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza.鈥�

UK law requires a ban on the sale of weapons to states that breach or fall short of adhering to international humanitarian law.

So far Canada, Japan, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands have suspended arms sales to Israel. The UK鈥檚 main opposition Labour Party called for a halt on exports this week.