UK to provide ‘more detail’ of advice stating arms sales to Israel not unlawful

The UK government is preparing to provide more detail of the advice around international humanitarian law (IHL) in relation to arms sales to Israel, it has been confirmed.

Deputy foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell told a parliamentary committee:” “In view of the strength of feeling in the IHL assessment process, I will look to see what more detail we could offer in writing on the IHL assessments in relation to Israel and Gaza both in process and substance.”

But Mitchell admitted the decision taken by ministers on April 8 suggesting that Israel was not in serious breach of law, was based on assessments made up until the end of January.

During Tuesday’s session of the business select committee Mitchell was repeatedly pressed by MPs to explain the government’s stance in relation to Israel and the current operation in Rafah.

He said he did not believe a “significant military operation” had begun in the region,and added that Israel was indeed seeking to concern itself with the safety of around 800,000 people evacuated there.

But the minister did warn:”You cannot use starvation as a weapon of war and remain within humanitarian law, that is clear.”

There was no indication on when the government was planning to publish a more recent assessment on Israel’s compliance with IHL in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.