The UK daily Independent revealed that arms export licenses worth $70 million have been granted to 130 British defense manufacturers since 2010 to sell military equipment to the Tel Aviv regime.

These range from bulletproof garments to naval gun parts and armored vehicles.

“Among the manufacturers given permission to make sales were two UK companies supplying components for the Hermes drone, described by the Israeli air force as the ‘backbone’ of its targeting and reconnaissance missions. One of the two companies also supplies components for Israel’s main battle tank,” the report said.

The UK government has said that it would review all outstanding export licenses to Israel.

However, politicians and campaigners are calling on ministers to clarify whether UK-manufactured weapons or components have been used by the Israeli military in Gaza since July 8.

“By refusing to investigate this vital question the British government are trying to bury their heads in the sand. This is a shameful approach to take and frankly makes the government look as if it has something to hide,” said Katy Clark, a Labour party lawmaker.

“The British public have the right to know the level of support which the United Kingdom has provided to the Israeli armed forces through arms sales.”

Meanwhile, US lawmakers also overwhelmingly approved an emergency measure in the nation’s Congress to grant $225 million in additional funding to the Zionist regime for its Iron Dome missile defense system amid the Israeli brutal onslaught on the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.

US Senate’s Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid received unanimous consent from fellow lawmakers Friday morning when he asked them to consider approving the measure.

The Palestinian death toll from the 26 days of Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip has now reached nearly 1,656. Some 9,000 people have also been injured. Most of the casualties have been civilians, including a large number of women and children.

RA/NJF