Oxfam’s UK chief executive, Dr Halima Begum, expressed disappointment at a British court ruling which refused to halt the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel.

“The judgment is surprising and deeply disappointing,” Begum said in a statement by the organisation that submitted evidence in the case.

“The Court and the Government have both acknowledged that UK arms are at risk of being used in breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza yet prioritise the supply chains of fighter jets over the lives of Palestinians,” she added.

“It is unconscionable that the Government would continue to license the sale of components for F35 jets knowing that they are used to deliberately attack civilians in Gaza and destroy their means of survival, including vital water supplies.

“In the 10 months since the Government suspended some arms licences to Israel, over 15,000 people in Gaza have been killed, the majority of them women and children.

“There can be no excuse for the UK government’s continued complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UK government should should do what is morally right and immediately suspend all arms sales to Israel.”