Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

Rafah invasion a violation of international law: UK Deputy FM

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 8 May 2024 15:50
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

UK Deputy FM Andrew Mitchell says an invasion of Rafah would strengthen Hamas rather than defeat it.

  • x
  • A Palestinian woman mourns 7-month-old baby Hani Qeshta, who was killed in an Israeli bombardment on a residential building with Qeshta's family, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP)
    A Palestinian woman mourns 7-month-old baby Hani Qeshta, who was killed in an Israeli bombardment on a residential building with Qeshta's family, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP)

The invasion of Rafah would violate international humanitarian law and fail to defeat Hamas, the UK's deputy foreign minister, Andrew Mitchell, said on Wednesday. He did not, however, warn of any consequences the UK would impose on "Israel", The Guardian reported.

His statement came as a means to restrict the occupation's options in the invasion and simultaneously force it to accept and commit to the three-stage ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The UK previously advocated for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and the complete removal of Hamas from any governing body in the Strip. 

Mitchell echoed the French Foreign Ministry's statement, revealing that no credible Israeli plan was presented to ensure that the invasion of Rafah would not violate international law, additionally warning that the offensive would strengthen Hamas, rather than weaken it. 

He addressed two Israeli officials other than Benjamin Netanyahu, including Benny Gantz, hoping they would break from Netanyahu. In this context, it is worth noting that Gantz considered the resumption of ceasefire talks but claimed Hamas' narrative shifted from that of mediators.

Mitchell also claimed Hamas had not agreed to the same deal as "Israel", saying “A generous offer was on the table last week proposed by Egypt, accepted by Israel, and we need to see Hamas accept a viable deal, and we can start building the momentum towards a permanent sustained ceasefire.”

Lastly, the top official, in agreement with the United Nations, condemned the blockage of humanitarian aid in Gaza, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for the opening of humanitarian corridors and the de-escalation in Rafah.

Related News

Trump announces death penalty policy for all murders in Washington DC

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

EU to sanction 'Israel'

This came amid multiple statements in Europe condemning the invasion of Rafah. EU Chief Josep Borrell denounced the invasion, stating that despite vehement international rejection, "Israel" dismissed all requests and launched its aggression against Rafah at night. He warned of the humanitarian tragedy that would follow, stressing that 600,000 children are currently in danger in Rafah. 

Borrell also revealed that the EU was preparing a sanctions package to be imposed on "Israel", entailing the restriction of the bilateral trade agreement between both parties. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, commenting on the sanctions, said “Can we continue with Israel as a trading partner? I don’t think so.”

However, the United States urged allies to hold off from punishing "Israel", saying the 48 hours that followed the invasion were crucial, with the priority being influencing the occupation to agree on a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Amid the US' constant moves to buy "Israel" time, the Biden administration delayed the publishing of a report that indicates the war crimes and violations the Israeli occupation committed in Gaza.

Without giving any clear reason for this delay, the Biden administration informed The Hill in an email that it would miss the deadline. According to the email, the report is "briefly delayed" with no specification of a new timeline. 

As they were given anonymity to address the internal process, a senior administration official revealed that they predict it will "be delayed by less than a week."

Read more: 'Israel' set to occupy Rafah crossing, control aid of 1.4mln people

  • United States
  • Andrew Mitchell
  • war on Gaza
  • Israel
  • Rafah invasion
  • Rafah
  • United Kingdom
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS