UK said to condition resumption of blocked arms sales to Israel on ceasefire, access to Palestinian prisoners

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in August that the UK would reconsider its restrictions on weapons sales licenses to Israel if two conditions are met, Politico reports.

The first is a ceasefire in Gaza, and the second is for human rights organizations to be granted access to Palestinians in Israeli prisons, two US officials tell Politico.

The call was held on August 20, and the two diplomats met yesterday in London.

The US has privately warned Britain against suspending some arms sales to Israel, amid concerns it could damage attempts to broker a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza war against Hamas, a senior British government source told UK’s The Times newspaper last week.

Lammy announced earlier this month that 30 out of 350 arms export licenses were being suspended amid concerns the equipment could be used for human rights violations in Gaza, while insisting it was not a blanket embargo.