Two UK nationals are still being held hostage by Hamas and there are fears Israel may have broken international law in the Middle East conflict, David Cameron said in his first full grilling by MPs since returning to government.
The foreign secretary said he “of course” has concerns about the crisis in Gaza but that it is not his job to make a “legal adjudication” about Israel’s actions.
The former prime minister told the Commons foreign affairs select committee: “If you’re asking me am I worried that Israel has taken action that might be in breach of international law because this particular premise has been bombed or whatever?
“Yes, of course I’m worried about that, and that’s why I consult the Foreign Office lawyers when giving this advice on arms exports.”
Lord Cameron also called on Israel to restore water supply in Gaza, and confirmed the two hostages were still being held along with others who are “very connected to Britain”.
He said the UK government was doing “everything we can” to relieve suffering. An estimated 240 people were taken prisoner in Gaza after Hamas’s 7 October attacks against Israel. Some 105 were released during a November ceasefire.
Pressed on whether it was a breach of international law to turn water off in an occupied territory, Lord Cameron refused to answer. His permanent under-secretary in the foreign office Sir Philip Robert Barton said it is a breach of international law.
Tory chair of the committee Alicia Kearns pressed Lord Cameron on whether he had received any advice saying Israel is in breach of international law. “I can’t recall every single piece of paper put in front of me,” he said.
But, in a bid for caution from the Israeli government, he added that he “would have differences” with how the country has responded to Hamas attacks against it on 7 October.
The foreign secretary also said a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is possible as the conflict in Gaza rages on. “Out of a crisis should come some opportunity,” Lord Cameron said.
Asked if the two-state solution, which would see Israel alongside an independent Palestinian state, is “remotely feasible” after the bitter war, he replied: “Yes, you’ve got to hope that it’s feasible.”
Mr Sunak’s spokesperson was asked whether the PM shares Lord Cameron’s concerns that Israel may be violating international law. He replied: “It’s an issue we continue to keep under review, and obviously we have made our views clear to the Israeli government at a number of levels on this.”
It came as US secretary of state Antony Blinken urged prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet to maintain a path towards the creation of a Palestinian state.
Mr Blinken, who toured Israel’s Arab neighbours for talks on plans for the future governance of Gaza and integration in the Middle East, said earlier he would be discussing the “way forward” in the war during the meetings.
He met one-on-one with Mr Netanyahu at Tel Aviv’s Kirya military base and then with the war cabinet formed in the wake of the attacks by Palestinian Hamas militants.
Repeating the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s right to prevent a repeat of the attacks, Mr Blinken “stressed the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza,” state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
As well as trying to damp down regional tensions, he has been discussing plans for the future governance of Gaza, which could involve Israel’s Muslim-majority neighbours.
Mr Blinken earlier met Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Israel Katz. He told Mr Katz there were opportunities for regional integration and connectivity “but we have to get through this very challenging moment”.
In the meetings with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Blinken “reiterated the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realisation of a Palestinian state,” Mr Miller said.
US secretary of state Blinken said the package would be ‘one of the last’ unless Congress approved supplemental funding
