The British government has quietly approved fresh military export licences to Israel worth millions of pounds, despite publicly suspending some arms sales over Gaza last year.
Campaigners say the approvals expose major loopholes in Labour’s policy and raise serious questions about Britain’s continued role in Israel’s military operations.
New figures published by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) show that the UK authorised more than £20 million in military exports to Israel during the final months of 2025.
Among them was an £8.7 million licence for “components and technology for targeting equipment” — equipment previously suspended over fears it could be used in Gaza.
Hiding behind loopholes
The revelations emerged following analysis by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which accused ministers of relying on technical loopholes while continuing to arm Israel indirectly.
The targeting equipment licence was approved months after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms export licences to Israel in September 2024.
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At the time, Lammy admitted there was a “clear risk” that British equipment could be used in serious violations of international law in Gaza.
However, CAAT says the latest licences show Britain never fully stopped military exports.
The Department for Business and Trade defended the decision. Officials claimed the equipment was intended for re-export and that Israel was “not the end user”.
The government insisted the approval remained within the terms of its suspension policy.
Campaigners rejected the explanation. They warned Israel could still divert the equipment to its own military through a process known as “auto-diversion”.
Under UK export rules, weapons or military technology approved for another destination cannot legally be redirected elsewhere without permission.
Critics say Britain has little ability to monitor what actually happens once equipment leaves the UK.
CAAT researcher Sam Perlo-Freeman accused ministers of relying on promises they cannot enforce.
He said the government was effectively trusting Israeli assurances without carrying out meaningful checks.
He warned the equipment could still end up being used by the Israeli military in Gaza.
The group also pointed to previous incidents involving British-made drone parts allegedly failing to reach their declared destination.
Earlier this year, investigations revealed that an Elbit Systems subsidiary in Britain shipped drone components to Israel under a licence requiring them to be transferred onwards to Romania.
The equipment reportedly remained in Israel after the Gaza assault intensified.
Romania later threatened to cancel the contract before deliveries resumed.
Additional assistance
Another newly approved licence involved components linked to military training aircraft used by Israeli pilots before flying combat missions.
The parts are believed to support the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master training aircraft produced by Italian defence giant Leonardo.
Israeli pilots use the aircraft before operating General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
F-35 jets have played a central role in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Human rights organisations and legal groups have repeatedly urged Britain to suspend all exports connected to the programme.
Labour’s suspension last year notably excluded F-35 components supplied through international programmes.
Ministers argued halting those exports would damage NATO relationships and global supply chains.
That exemption is now facing legal challenges from Palestinian rights groups and human rights organisations.
Recent research also suggested British firms continued sending thousands of military items to Israel even after the government announced restrictions.
Reports based on Israeli import data claimed shipments included aircraft parts, military electronics and armoured vehicle components.
The government insists most remaining licences involve defensive equipment or items intended for third countries.
CAAT says Britain’s continued military trade with Israel undermines repeated government claims that it is concerned about civilian deaths in Gaza.
The group argues the UK cannot publicly criticise Israeli actions while continuing to approve military exports connected to the country’s war machine.
Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza, pressure has grown on both Conservative and Labour governments to impose a full arms embargo.
More than 200 organisations worldwide have called for countries involved in the F-35 programme to halt supplies to Israel.
According to Gaza health authorities, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with widespread destruction across the enclave.
