UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron threatens to withhold arms to Israel over Hamas prisoners

Foreign Secretary David Cameron reportedly told Israeli officials a Europe-wide arms embargo could be put in place unless the Red Cross was given access to Hamas prisoners.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron has warned Israel it will see arms embargoes over the war with Gaza. Picture: AFP.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary has reportedly warned Israel the UK would withhold weapons exports unless Jerusalem allows the Red Cross access to imprisoned Hamas militants.

David Cameron also told Israeli officials a Europe-wide arms embargo could be put in place unless access was permitted, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

The newspaper reports that Israeli officials fear a domino effect after Canada this week voted to halt arms sales to Israel over the war in Gaza.

The warning follows reports last month that Britain was considering suspending arms exports to Israel over a possible ground invasion of Rafah.

Lord Cameron said at the time Britain was “very concerned” over the possibility of an invasion and reiterated calls for a “sustainable ceasefire”.

“We think it is impossible to see how you can fight a war among these people,” he said. “There’s nowhere for them to go.”

He added: “We want Israel to stop and think seriously before it takes any further action.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reportedly sent a letter to Lord Cameron via Israel’s ambassador in London, asking Britain to rally around Israel and not undermine its position.

The UK Telegraph reports that Mr Katz told Lord Cameron there was “no room” for moves such as restricting weapons supplies at a crucial moment in the truce negotiations between Jerusalem and Hamas

Lord Cameron’s remarks will ratchet up further pressure on Israel as the US submits a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza tied to the release of hostages.

“I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of the draft resolution in an interview with a Saudi government-owned broadcaster during his sixth visit to the Middle East since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

It is rare for the US to back – let alone put forward – a resolution that Israel would oppose at the UN. Washington has repeatedly sided with Israel during Security Council votes on the war in Gaza. Last month it blocked a resolution because it didn’t call for the release of hostages.

Yedioth Ahronoth reports that a team of British lawyers visited Israel this month and told Israeli officials that denying the Red Cross access to Hamas prisoners contravened international law.

However officials told Yedioth Ahronoth that Israel was exempt from such a convention due to security concerns.

A senior official also warned of a “pandemic of sanctions” that could spread globally.

Separately, Israeli’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said Israel would listen to Washington’s concerns but was determined to take control of Rafah even if it meant a rift with the US.

“We’re quite confident that we can do this in a way that would be effective — not only militarily, but also on the humanitarian side,” said Mr Dermer, a former ambassador to the US.

“It will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone,” he said. “Even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States, we’re going to fight until the battle’s won.”.