Israel blasts UK's decision to pause some arms exports amid war with Hamas

The Israeli government slammed the United Kingdom on Tuesday for suspending 30 of its 350 arms export deals with them over human rights concerns in the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy made the announcement on Monday over concerns that Israel would use the weapons “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," according to The Hill. 

The export licenses were for military fighter jet, helicopter, and drone parts, among others. Lammy claimed they were not judging whether Israel was guilty of any international war crimes, but are concerned over the "methods" that Israel has already employed to combat Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the decision as "shameful" and "misguided," in a statement on Tuesday.

“[The British government's] shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that savagely murdered 1200 people on October 7, including 14 British citizens,” the statement said. “With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future."

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also criticized the U.K.'s decision, with Gallant stating that he was "deeply disheartened" to hear of the change, and Katz arguing it "sends a very problematic message” to Iran and Hamas.

U.K. exports amount up to less than one percent of the arms that Israel receives.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.