Lammy: Difficult to see how Gaza aid blockade compatible with international law

David Lammy said it is “difficult to see” how Israel’s denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza “can be compatible with international humanitarian law”.

But the Foreign Secretary was heckled by some opposition MPs as he stopped short of repeating his previous remarks that there had been a “breach of international law” by Israel, as he instead said the UK Government believes there is a “clear risk” of such an occurrence.

Making a statement to the House of Commons on the breakdown of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Mr Lammy said the resumption of Israeli military action in Gaza had resulted in an “appalling loss of life”.

He said: “On the night of March 18, Israel launched air strikes across Gaza. A number of Hamas figures were reportedly killed, but it’s been reported that over 400 Palestinians were killed in missile strikes and artillery barrages. The majority of them were women and children.

“This appears to have been the deadliest single day for Palestinians since the war began. This is an appalling loss of life, and we mourn the loss of every civilian.”

Mr Lammy also confirmed a British national was amongst those wounded after a UN compound was hit on Wednesday.

He said: “The Government calls for a transparent investigation and for those responsible to be held to account.”

Mr Lammy said the UK is working with France and Germany to send Israel a “clear message” that they “strongly oppose” the resumption of hostilities.

He told MPs: “We urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no-one’s interests. Hamas must release all the hostages and negotiations must resume.

“Diplomacy is the only way to achieve security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Mr Lammy recalled the events of recent weeks during the two-month ceasefire before noting negotiations have been “gridlocked for several weeks”.

He said: “Hamas has been resisting calls for the release of further hostages in return for a longer truce.

“Israeli forces did not begin to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor as agreed and on March 2 the Israeli government announced it was blocking all further aid deliveries until Hamas agreed to its terms.

“For weeks now, supplies of basic goods and electricity have been blocked, leaving over half a million civilians once again cut off from clean drinking water and sparking a 200% surge in the price of some basic foodstuffs; a boon to those criminals who use violence to control supplies.

“As I told the House on Monday, this is appalling and unacceptable. Ultimately, of course, these are matters for the courts, not governments, to determine, but it’s difficult to see how denying humanitarian assistance to a civilian population can be compatible with international humanitarian law.

“Though it’s important to say I could have been a little clearer in the House on Monday, our position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are a clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law.”

Several Labour MPs raised concerns over the conduct of Israel and the UK’s stance alongside calls for further sanctions in light of recent events.

Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said: “The renewed bombing in Gaza cannot be justified, the renewed siege of Gaza cannot be justified. And it is difficult to see how either of those is compatible with international law. It will be for a court to decide and there will be a reckoning.”

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, said: “The double standards and injustice we are witnessing on the international stage is truly appalling. It’s obvious that Israel is breaking international law as every serious legal expert on international law has pointed out.

“It’s shameful, frankly, that the Government refuses to state that about Israel, but will likely do so about Russia’s violation in Ukraine, and I say to the Foreign Secretary, the concern and outrage he expresses at the despatch box is not ending the bloodshed.

“When will we get the scale of sanctions on Israel that its war crimes demand?”

Mr Lammy replied that he recognised “the strength of feeling after more than 49,000 people have been killed in Gaza”, adding: “He would not expect me to from this despatch box comment on any further sanctions, but of course we keep these issues under close review.”

Labour MP Sarah Smith (Hyndburn) said: “Israel continues to breach the terms of the ceasefire and while the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is a real possibility, we should not do a trade deal with Israel. I urge the minister to consider sanctions against some of the key Israeli actions.”

Independent MP Shockat Adam referred to Mr Lammy’s family links to slavery before suggesting he could “unshackle his own chains” and ensure the UK ceases all arms licences to Israel.

He said: “Can I ask the minister – and take this as it’s sincerely meant, the minister has passionately spoken about his heritage and his ancestors who were shackled in the chains of slavery – to unshackle his own chains and to immediately cease all arms licences and, despite the £6.1 billion economic ties, to impose economic sanctions and put in place a viable process of recognising the state of Palestine?”

Mr Lammy replied: “(Mr Adam) brings powerful rhetoric to this House this afternoon but let me say to him that notwithstanding the horrors of the conflict that has begun, we are three days into that conflict and it’s my job to use all endeavours I can to get back to that ceasefire.”