Britain will 'hold Israel to account' for killing of three British ex-forces ... trends now

Lord David Cameron has pledged to 'hold Israel to account' for the killing of three British ex-servicemen in Gaza.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lord Cameron would not be drawn on growing demands to suspend arms sales to Israel in the wake of the atrocity.

He rejected claims the British government is downplaying the incident to avoid upsetting Israel. The Foreign Secretary described this week's triple drone strike on the World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy as 'appalling' and paid tribute to the seven aid workers killed.

Worldwide fury at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has intensified this week after the workers were struck by a missile while trying to deliver food to Palestinians in a clearly marked charity vehicle.

US President Joe Biden, in a tense call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has demanded an 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza, alleging a cessation was now 'essential' and American support was conditional on new steps to protect aid workers and civilians. 

Mr Biden's remarks go further than the British Government, which has sought an 'immediate pause' in fighting to create the conditions for a 'sustainable ceasefire'.

The brother of aid worker Jim Henderson, one of the three British victims, yesterday said it was 'hard to comprehend' the Government's response.

In a statement to The Times on behalf of the family, he said: 'Accountability is the only hope of justice I have... I don't believe our Government will hold the correct people to account, but I guarantee our Government will sell weapons to Israel, which may... be used to kill our fellow citizens.'

Lord Cameron told the Mail Mr Netanyahu and other senior ministers 'know how serious this issue is and how they have got to get to the bottom of it and frankly make sure it never happens again'.

Responding to Mr Henderson's comments, he added: 'We will hold Israel to account. That is what the transparent full inquiry is all about.

'When these things happen even on a battlefield ... they have consequences'. But he declined to say if the UK is confident Israel is acting within international law – or if arms sales might be suspended.

Yesterday, Israel placed its embassies around the world on maximum alert and cancelled all military leave after Iran vowed to respond to an IDF airstrike on its consulate which killed a senior general.

Downing Street yesterday denied reports that Rishi Sunak told Mr Netanyahu Britain 'will be forced to declare Israel a violator of international humanitarian law' unless it allows more aid in to feed Gaza's population. 

But No 10 did not dispute a leaked account from Israel's Channel 13 that the PM told Mr Netanyahu: 'Britain supports the elimination of Hamas – but not at the cost of a humanitarian catastrophe... This is not good for us – and it is not good for you.'

Since 2008, the UK has licensed arms worth more than £574 million to Israel. Department for Business and Trade officials involved in the sales have called in their union over fears they could be held liable if Israel is seen to have broken international law.

Ex Cabinet Minister David Jones confirmed colleagues were organising a letter urging Lord Cameron to investigate whether Israel had broken international law.

A former British Army Major has said the IDF would have known everything about the WCK aid convoy before Monday's drone strike.

Chris Lincoln-Jones, upon reviewing images of the damaged vehicles, characterised the strikes as highly targeted and said the missiles were 'absolutely, perfectly accurate'. 

The drone - an Elbit Hermes 450 - is built in Israel and constitutes one of the IDF's foremost intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance vehicles. 

It carries both electro-optical and infrared cameras to 'capture high-quality imagery during day or night', according to Air Force Technology, suggesting IDF operators would have clearly seen the WCK logo emblazoned on the white cars. 

Lincoln-Jones also said Israel 'probably even know the names of the people on board', given the convoy had been travelling along a pre-approved deconflicted route, in comments to The Times. 

His comments followed those of WCK founder José Andrés and CEO Erin Gore, who accused the IDF of deliberately and 'systematically' targeting the aid convoy.

'This was not just a bad luck situation where ''oops'' we dropped the bomb in the wrong place.

'This was over 1.5km, 1.8km, with a very defined humanitarian convoy that had signs in the top, in the roof, a very colourful logo... It's very clear who we are and what we do,' Andrés said

Gore added: 'All three vehicles were carrying civilians... their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route, and humanitarian mission.'

Meanwhile, former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger labelled Israel's war in Gaza 'reckless' and

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