As international lawyers, we remind the UK government that it has a duty under international law to exert its influence to stop violations of international humanitarian law in the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. A fundamental principle of international humanitarian law is that the parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilians and those who participate directly in hostilities. Attacks deliberately aimed at the civilian population and civilian objects, by any means, are prohibited, as are attacks that do not discriminate between civilians and combatants, or which are likely to cause harm to civilians that is excessive when compared to the military advantage sought by the attack.

Similarly, the use of civilians as "human shields" is also forbidden. Further, the parties to the conflict must take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to the civilian population, and to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of medical and humanitarian relief to civilians in need.

Under international law, the UK government is obliged to use its best efforts within the law to stop the ongoing violations of these fundamental rules of international humanitarian law. In particular, we call upon it to condemn publicly attacks by the parties to the conflict that target civilians directly, or fail to discriminate between civilians and combatants, or which are expected to cause disproportionate injury to the civilian population. The UK government should also strongly encourage the parties to ensure that civilians in Gaza receive the essential medical and humanitarian relief to which they are entitled under international law.

Dr Louise Arimatsu LSE, Dr Lorand Bartels University of Cambridge, Arnulf Becker Lorca KCL, Dr Jason Beckett University of Leicester, Prof Christine Bell University of Ulster, Dr Chaloka Beyani LSE, Dr Silvia Borelli UCL, Prof Bill Bowring Birkbeck, Iain Byrne human rights lawyer, Prof Matthew Craven Soas, Prof Robert Cryer University of Birmingham, Tim Daniel solicitor, Dr Catriona Drew Soas, Prof John Dugard Pretoria, Prof Max du Plessis University of KwaZulu-Natal, Carla Ferstman Redress Trust, Prof Malgosia Fitzmaurice Queen Mary, London, Guy Goodwin-Gill University of Oxford, Gina Heathcote Soas, Prof Susan Marks KCL, Stephanie Khoury international lawyer, Dr Nico Krisch LSE, Prof Robert McCorquodale University of Nottingham, Lorna McGregor Redress Trust, Sorcha MacLeod Sheffield University, Scott Newton Soas, Prof Mary Ellen O'Connell Notre Dame University, Dr Lutz Oette Soas, Dr Roger O'Keefe University of Cambridge, Simon Olleson 13 Old Square Chambers, Dr Federico Ortino KCL, Emma Playfair Human rights lawyer, Dr Marco Roscini University of Westminster, Prof Peter Rowe Lancaster University, Prof Malcolm Shaw QC University of Leicester, Prof Gerry Simpson LSE, Dr Guglielmo Verdirame University of Cambridge, Prof Nigel White University of Sheffield, Dr Ralph Wilde UCL, Elizabeth Wilmshurst Chatham House