The UK government has quietly approved fresh military export licences to Israel worth millions of pounds, despite publicly suspending some arms sales over Gaza last year, according to a report by British Muslim news site 5Pillars.
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 targetting equipment licence was approved months after Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of around 30 arms export licences to Israel in September 2024.
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.
Full report: UK approved millions in military exports to Israel despite Labour restrictions – 5Pillars