London - A senior Conservative MP has cautioned that the British government may be implicated in war crimes in Gaza if it fails to take more substantial measures to "restrain" Israel.
Crispin Blunt, a former chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, has written to Rishi Sunak, alerting him to the "legal peril" the UK may face due to its "seeming unqualified endorsement of the Israeli government's policies."
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, co-chaired by Mr. Blunt, has issued a notice of intention to prosecute UK officials and has cited "clear evidence" of Israel's involvement in war crimes.
Recent developments include Israel instructing 1.2 million residents in the northern part of the Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes in anticipation of a military operation.
Authorities in Gaza have reported a significant toll, with 1,900 Palestinians, including 583 children, killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past week, amid expectations of a full-scale ground invasion.
Israel has also restricted the entry of goods into Gaza and cut off electricity in the densely populated territory.
In response to these events, Mr. Blunt, along with other prominent Conservative MPs, has raised concerns. Alicia Kearns, the current chair of the foreign affairs committee, emphasized the need for the UK to be firm with its allies, insisting that international laws on proportionality should be upheld.
Rishi Sunak has expressed full support for Israel and recently announced the dispatch of RAF surveillance aircraft and Royal Navy vessels to the region.
While Downing Street has urged Israel to safeguard ordinary Palestinians, some senior government members, including defense secretary Grant Shapps, have supported Israel's order for Palestinians to leave the area.
The United Nations has expressed concerns about the mass displacement of the population, warning of "devastating humanitarian consequences."
Mr. Blunt has stressed that being aware of a party's intent to commit a war crime makes one complicit in that crime under international law. He has urged the UK to issue a public statement condemning Israeli violations of international law and to call for a ceasefire and humanitarian access to the territory.
Various political leaders and officials have weighed in on the situation, with differing stances on Israel's right to defend itself within the bounds of international law. The conflict continues to be a subject of intense debate and international concern.