The United Kingdom supplied arms, including 110,000 bullets, to Israel in August 2025, despite mounting allegations of genocide in Gaza.
This shipment, valued at approximately £20,000 ($27,000), was part of a broader increase in UK arms exports to Israel, reaching a total of £150,000 for the month, the second-highest monthly total since January 2022, revealed an investigation conducted by British broadcaster Channel 4.
The ammunition was classified under Israel’s import codes for bullets, with other exports that month including tank components, rifle and shotgun parts, as well as various explosives and munitions.
Channel 4 also reported that figures from the Israel Tax Authority revealed the highest-ever monthly munitions shipments from the UK in June 2025, totaling £400,000.
The revelations have sparked intensified scrutiny over Britain’s arms trade and foreign policy, with critics highlighting a stark contrast to the UK’s recent recognition of Palestine. The UK’s ruling Labour Party had previously passed a motion condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
Following widespread protests and diplomatic pressure, Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognized Palestine in September 2025, calling it “a step toward justice, peace, and accountability.”
However, human rights organizations argue that recognition without concrete actions, such as sanctions or an arms embargo, is ineffective. Critics accuse Starmer of failing to reconcile his humanitarian rhetoric with his government’s continued military support for Israel.
In response to growing concern, the UK government had suspended 30 of 350 arms export licenses in September 2024 after a review found “clear risk” that military exports could breach international law.
However, key components for F-35 fighter jets, critical to Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, were exempted from the suspension.
Surveillance support
The Palestinian human rights group al-Haq, in collaboration with the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), filed a lawsuit against the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for continuing to supply F-35 components to Israel.
They argue that this violates both domestic law and the Arms Trade Treaty, as the UK provides 15% of the components for the F-35 fleet, including electronics and fuselage systems.
Meanwhile, investigations have also revealed that RAF surveillance aircraft based in Cyprus have conducted multiple reconnaissance flights over Gaza since December 2023.
The Ministry of Defense claims these flights are for “situational awareness” and “captive rescue,” but legal experts warn that such intelligence sharing may contribute to violations of international law.
Humanitarian toll
The Channel 4 investigation comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Since October 2023, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 66,148 Palestinians and wounded more than 168,716, according to international humanitarian organizations.
UN experts and major NGOs have condemned Israel’s actions as genocide, citing indiscriminate bombing, forced displacement, and deliberate hindrances to humanitarian aid.
Despite these findings, the UK’s arms trade with Israel remains robust. Campaigners argue that Britain is complicit in war crimes, as British-made ammunition and aircraft parts continue to be used in Israeli bombardments that primarily target civilians.
With public outcry growing, legal experts, civil society, and faith leaders are increasing their calls for a full and unconditional arms embargo on Israel.
