Britain warns Israel to ‘exercise restraint’ to minimise civilian casualties in Gaza conflict
BRITAIN has warned Israel to “exercise restraint” to minimise civilian casualties in the escalating Gaza conflict.
The UK insists Israel forces are not going “too far” in hunting down Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 attacks but do urge caution, the Deputy Prime Minister says.
Senior Tory Oliver Dowden said he backed their right to self-defence but admitted the situation in the Middle East was “very difficult”.
The intervention comes as Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron called for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza which marked a shift in tone from the government.
Mr Dowden told the BBC: “The difference between those calling for a ceasefire now and the position of the UK Government is that ceasefire can’t be sustainable until we’ve dealt with Hamas.”
But he added: “If you’re going after an enemy that literally hides underneath hospitals, hides amongst the civilian population, you are going to sustain high levels of civilian casualties.”
The offensive which was triggered by the unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel has seen 85 per cent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million flee their homes.
Lord Cameron wrote a joint article in The Sunday Times with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock stopping short of a full end to fighting which has been called for by pro-Palestinian campaigners.
They wrote: “Israel has the right to defend itself but, in doing so, it must abide by international humanitarian law.
“Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful co-existence with Palestinians. They have a right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas.
“But too many civilians have been killed. The Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives.”
Israel leader Benjamin Netanyahu faces public fury after it emerged three hostages mistakenly shot by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip were waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were killed.
There is growing unease in the White House over the failure of the Israeli administration to reduce civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza.