The SNP has reiterated its call for an immediate halt to arms sales to Israel in a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The party also said the government should take action now rather than waiting for further evaluations.

Mr Lammy has said there will be no “blanket ban” on arms sales between the UK and Israel, saying the Middle Eastern country is “surrounded by people who want to see it destroyed”.

However, he told the House of Commons that he would consider all issues relating to the use of offensive weapons in Gaza.

SNP MP Brendan O’Hara said he was “relieved” by this week’s decision to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA).

“The required decision you must make cannot only consist of mitigating the effects of Israeli bombings and collective punishment, but must also end the IDF’s ability to commit war crimes with impunity.

“To do that, there is one specific step you must take now. You must immediately suspend arms licenses to Israel.”

Mr O’Hara said that assessments of Israel’s compliance with international law have been carried out for nine months and there is no reason to wait for another assessment.

The Foreign Secretary set out his thoughts on the issue on Friday after a Labour MP tabled an amendment calling for the immediate suspension of arms export licences to Israel.

Mr Lammy said: “This is one of the most difficult neighbourhoods in the world and Israel is a country surrounded by people who would like to see it destroyed.

“It is being attacked by the Houthis, rockets are being fired from Hezbollah, despite Hamas’s desire to wipe Israel off the map.

“For those reasons, it would not be right to have a blanket ban between our country and Israel.

“It is correct that I am discussing the issues related to offensive weapons in Gaza in the normal manner, following the quasi-judicial process that I have outlined.”

Mr Lammy also said on Friday: “Our commitment to international law is clear and we are following the necessary procedures.

“As soon as I took office, I tasked officials with a comprehensive review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, and that process is now underway. I will update the House again once the process is complete.”