Gaza (Washington Insider Magazine) —Western governments are under increasing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel as the war with Hamas in Gaza intensifies. Israel, heavily reliant on imported military equipment such as aircraft, guided bombs, and missiles, has conducted one of the most destructive aerial campaigns in recent history. Critics, including campaign groups and some Western politicians, argue that arms exports should be suspended, claiming Israel isn’t doing enough to protect civilians or ensure adequate humanitarian aid.
The UK recently suspended 30 export licenses for military equipment following concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law. Although UK exports form a small portion of Israel’s total military imports, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called it “shameful.”
The United States, Israel’s largest arms supplier, has provided billions in military aid over the years. However, there have been instances where the Biden administration paused arms shipments due to concerns about civilian casualties. Germany, Israel’s second-largest supplier, continues to sell arms, including advanced submarines while maintaining a cautious tone on Israeli actions in Gaza.
Despite these pressures, Israel maintains that its forces are working to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of deliberately using civilians as shields. As international scrutiny grows, debates about arms sales and humanitarian law remain at the forefront of discussions among Israel’s Western allies.
