Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: UK response to the conflict since July 2024

On 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, officially designated a terrorist group by many countries including Israel, the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, commenced an armed assault against Israel. It launched several thousand rockets into Israel and conducted attacks in border areas, killing around 1,200 civilians and taking 253 hostages, as part of what it called “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”.

In response, in October Israel conducted air strikes against Hamas in Gaza and launched a ground attack to “destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home”. Hamas continued to fire rockets into Israel after 7 October. Fighting in Gaza is ongoing.

This briefing provides information on the UK response, including activity at the UN and statements from the government and opposition parties from 5 July 2024. The Commons Library research briefing, 2023/24 Israel-Hamas conflict: US, UN, EU and regional response details the international response to the conflict, including actions at the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, and wider violence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. 

Ongoing hostilities and casualties

Fighting between Israel and Hamas is centred in southern Gaza, Khan Younis and the Rafah crossing into Egypt, where in May Israel announced it would conduct “limited” operations against Hamas and ordered the evacuation of Palestinian civilians. Around 90% of Palestinians in Gaza are displaced.

Citing Israeli authorities, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health and Palestinian civil defense, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) says that since 7 October over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been reported killed and around 5,400 injured. At least 40,861 Palestinians have been reported killed, a further 10,000 are missing or under rubble and 94,398 injured across Gaza and Israel (as of 4 September 2024).

There is also ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank and hostilities between Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah (also a proscribed terrorist group in the UK) in Lebanon and northern Israel. Other Iran-supported groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria have been launching attacks on civilian shipping and against US and Israeli targets.

On 13 April, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel. It said this was in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Syria, launching 330 drones and missiles (of which 99% were intercepted).

Pauses in fighting and ceasefire proposals  

From 24 November to 1 December, a pause took place to enable the release of hostages. Before the pause began, Israel said it would last no longer than 10 days and that fighting would then resume. The pause enabled the release of 110 hostages from Gaza and 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israel.

On 10 June, the UN Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution introduced by the US for a three-stage plan to end the conflict, backed by Israel. Its first stage includes the release of many hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, an increase in aid and withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza. The UNSC called on Hamas and Israel to implement the agreement. Israel said it remains committed to destroying Hamas.

UK actions and response (from 5 July 2024)

Government advice for British nationals

• Any British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the UK Government. The government advises that all British nationals should leave Lebanon. ­In July 2024 the Foreign Secretary warned that the UK may not be able to arrange the immediate evacuation of British nationals from northern Israel and Lebanon if events escalate.

• UK visa holders in Gaza can contact the UK for assistance to leave if they hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for more than six months and have a spouse/partner or a child aged 17 or under in the UK.

• There are no exit routes for foreign nationals to leave Gaza due to fighting around the Rafah crossing. The UK is looking for alternatives.

Military, diplomatic and humanitarian actions  

• The UK Government has deployed military assets to promote de-escalation and conduct surveillance activities. The government has not provided “lethal or military equipment” to Israel since 7 October 2023.

• UK military assets supported the defence of Israel against Iran in April and will continue to do so. The UK is also participating in Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks and is conducting air strikes against the group alongside the United States.

• In 2023/24, the UK provided over £100 million in aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. None is directed via Hamas. In July, the government announced new funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). New UK funding had been paused in January following allegations some of its staff were involved in the 7 October assault. In July, the UK announced it would continue funding following UNRWA commitments to reform to ensure its neutrality. The briefing, UK aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has more.

Government and opposition statements on the conflict

• Ceasefire and hostages: the UK Government backs the Biden-proposed three stage ceasefire agreement, as did the Conservatives when in government. The Liberal Democrats back a ceasefire, something also supported by the SNP.

• Arms exports: in September the UK Government said it would suspend around 30 of the 350 arms export licences in place to Israel, following a review. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the UK continues to support Israel’s right to self defence in line with international humanitarian law, but he had concluded that “for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law”. A statement sets out the government’s reasoning. The Conservatives criticised the announcement’s timing and questioned how it would support the release of hostages. The Liberal Democrats and SNP welcomed the decision but called for UK restrictions to go further.

• Two-state solution: Labour says it will recognise a Palestinian state alongside a “safe and secure Israel” when it judges this will best support the peace process. The Conservatives also support a two-state solution. The Liberal Democrats intend to introduce a bill for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. The SNP intend to bring a vote to the Commons on recognition.

• Israeli settler violence: the UK has announced visa restrictions against “extremist Israeli settlers” and keeps further sanctions under review. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the violence.

• International Criminal Court (ICC): in May 2024 the ICC prosecutor applied to the court’s judges for warrants against three Hamas leaders and two Israeli leaders (Mr Netanyahu and the defence minister). The full press release details allegations against the specific individuals. When in government, the Conservatives questioned whether the ICC had jurisdiction, as Israel is not a member of the court. It intended to submit observations to the ICC on the topic. The Labour government did not submit any observations by the ICC’s 26 July deadline, “in line with its position that this is a matter for the Court to decide on”. Mr Lammy says the UK should respect any ICC decision.

• International Court of Justice (ICJ): South Africa has brought a case against Israel at the ICJ. The ICJ has issued three preliminary orders that call for Israel to increase aid and to minimise civilian casualties (among other measures). In January 2024, Mr Lammy said Israel should comply “in full”. The Liberal Democrats say that the UK should comply with the ICC (see above) and the ICJ. The SNP has also said this.

• Post-conflict Gaza: both Labour and Conservative governments said Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in Gaza and threaten Israel. Mr Lammy has also said that Israeli Defence Forces cannot remain in Gaza. He has suggested “trusted” Arab states may take a security role there.