A new report from Danish media outlet Informatìon has confirmed that Israeli F-35 fighter jets were involved in a devastating attack in Gaza on July 13, 2024. The strike on the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, has drawn international condemnation and calls for stricter control over arms exports.
According to the report, Israeli forces used “megabombs” weighing nearly a ton, causing extensive damage and loss of life, including among women and children. The F-35 fighter jets, part of Israel’s air force, were confirmed to have been involved in this operation, marking the first time the use of these jets has been linked directly to a specific attack with a large civilian death toll during the ongoing conflict.
Crucially, the report underscores the role of international partners in the F-35 program, including the United Kingdom. Approximately 15% of each F-35 aircraft, including those used by Israel, is made up of components produced by British companies. Since 2016, the UK has exported F-35 components valued at over £336 million, highlighting a significant British contribution to the aircraft now implicated in potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director at Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), commented on the findings: “The evidence that F-35 jets were involved in civilian harm in Israel links UK-made component manufacture to those strikes – raising serious ethical and legal questions. This should prompt an immediate review of arms export policies and the ethical responsibilities of countries like the UK in such conflicts.”
Despite these concerns, the UK government has yet to decide on suspending arms export licenses to Israel. This inaction persists despite mounting evidence of the humanitarian impact and potential breaches of international law.
The F-35 program, developed through an international partnership that includes the UK, has become a focal point in the debate over the legality and morality of arms sales to conflict zones.
Human rights organisations, including AOAV, have called on the UK to halt all arms exports to Israel until there are guarantees that these weapons will not be used against civilians. The use of non-precision, heavy ordnance in densely populated areas contravenes the principles of proportionality and distinction, fundamental tenets of international humanitarian law designed to protect civilians in conflict.
The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has highlighted the UK’s deep involvement in the F-35 program through an interactive map, encouraging citizens to identify and protest against local arms manufacturers profiting from what they describe as “genocide on your doorstep.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the role of internationally-produced military equipment in civilian-targeted operations, calls for a renewed examination of global arms trade practices and a stronger commitment to upholding humanitarian standards.
As evidence mounts, the UK and other partner nations must address their complicity and reconsider their arms export strategies to prevent further civilian suffering in conflict zones like Gaza.
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