LONDON 

Downing Street has publicly rejected UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s assertion that Israel violated international law by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, marking a rare censure of the senior official.

While Israel’s actions in Gaza pose a risk of breaching international humanitarian law, they do not fully align with Lammy’s Monday assessment, British media reported, citing a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The dispute comes just hours after Israel launched a fresh round of airstrikes on Gaza, renewing concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Lammy, in a statement to the House of Commons, had declared that Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid was a clear breach of international law.

A spokesperson for Starmer in his post as Labour leader emphasized that the party’s position is consistent with the government’s, stating that Israel's actions in Gaza "are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law."

The spokesperson urged Israel to adhere to its international obligations but stressed that “it is up to courts to make judgments” on such matters.

Asked if Lammy had overstepped the government’s position, Starmer’s spokesperson referred the question to the Foreign Office, but added there had been no policy change.

The controversy centers on Israel’s blockade of essential aid to Gaza, including food, fuel, and medicine, announced at the beginning of this month.

However, the UN, humanitarian groups, and numerous countries have expressed concern over the dire conditions in Gaza, where hospitals are struggling to care for large numbers of casualties.

Gaza's Health Ministry reports that over 400 people were killed in overnight airstrikes, marking the end of a two-month ceasefire.

In his comments on Monday, Lammy condemned Israel’s actions as "unacceptable, hugely alarming, and very worrying," particularly the fact that aid has been blocked for over two weeks.

He called for a return to pre-blockade levels of aid, which had seen more than 600 aid trucks entering Gaza. "Palestinians need the necessary humanitarian support that they need at this time," Lammy added.