In a recent session with the British parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, former Prime Minister David Cameron expressed apprehensions regarding Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza. Cameron acknowledged that while the advice received indicated Israel’s compliance with international law, certain aspects of its actions raised alarming questions.
During a question-and-answer session with lawmakers, Cameron addressed the possibility of Israel facing challenges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over the proportionality of its actions. He noted that the stance was “close to that” and admitted to being troubled by some of the incidents witnessed during the conflict in the besieged Palestinian territory.
When questioned directly about whether he had received legal advice suggesting Israel might have violated international law, Cameron didn’t provide a direct answer. However, he acknowledged that specific incidents had raised concerns about potential breaches.
Cameron emphasized the constant scrutiny and examination by legal experts to determine whether particular actions by Israel had violated international law. Despite the UK’s repeated support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, Cameron stressed the importance of the Israeli military acting within the bounds of international law and exercising restraint in its offensive in Gaza.
The former prime minister, who now sits in the parliament’s upper chamber as an unelected minister, acknowledged the extensive destruction in Gaza, stating that rebuilding would require a monumental effort involving multiple countries.
Regarding the toll on Gaza during Israel’s bombardment, the Palestinian health ministry reported at least 23,210 casualties, with a significant number of homes in the Gaza Strip destroyed. Cameron highlighted the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to rebuild the region.
He also mentioned figures indicating a significant reduction in Hamas fighters’ capability, stating that they had lost “over 50 percent of their capability and capacity” to launch rockets into Israel.
As global concern grows over the Gaza death toll and the South Africa genocide case against Israel, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli leaders on Tuesday to avoid causing further harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure.