Israel former foreign minister summoned by Scotland Yard over suspected war crimes

Tzipi Livni was summoned for a ‘voluntary interview’ by police for questioning over suspicion she was involved in war crimes during the Gaza War in 2008

Tzipi Livni, Israel's former foreign minister, was granted diplomatic immunity and agreed to meet with the minister in charge of Middle Eastern affairs after the summons was cancelled (AFP/Getty)

Israel's former foreign minister was reportedly summoned by Scotland Yard over alleged war crimes ahead of her visit to the UK this weekend.

Tzipi Livni was summoned on Thursday for a "voluntary interview" by police for questioning over suspicions she was involved in war crimes during the Gaza War in 2008, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports.

However, the summons was cancelled after diplomatic talks between Israel and Britain.

Ms Livni was granted diplomatic immunity and agreed to meet with Tobias Ellwood, the Foreign and Commonwealth minister in charge of Middle Eastern affairs.

The questioning was reportedly intended to discuss Ms Livni's alleged involvement in war crimes and violations of the Geneva Convention as foreign minister and vice prime minister, and as a member of the diplomatic-security cabinet of Israel during the 2008 Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.

The three-week conflict began when Israeli forces attacked the Gaza Strip with the goal of stopping rocket fire into Israel.

Israeli forces targeted police stations and political institutions, as well as suspected rocket firing teams during the offensive, while Palestinian groups fired rockets against civilian targets in Israel in response to what they perceived as "massacres".

The conflict resulted in up to 1,417 Palestinian deaths and 13 Israeli deaths.

The UN-commissioned Goldstone Report harshly criticised the conduct of both Israel and Hamas and accused them both of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.