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
The Popular Resistance Committees: We call on all international institutions to take urgent action and uphold their responsibilities by restoring and immediately enforcing effective mechanisms for the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Popular Resistance Committees: The latest Zio-American crime against Gaza’s starving civilians constitutes a war crime, for which the US administration bears full and direct responsibility.
Gaza Media Office: Bloody spectacle shows that these zones have become collective death traps rather than aid distribution zones.
Gaza Media Office: Dozens of citizens are still surrounded under constant fire in the vicinity of the "aid station."
Gaza Media Office: As soon as citizens arrived, occupation and Americans opened direct fire on them.
Gaza Media Office: Occupation, in complicity with the US company, called on citizens to move toward Wadi Gaza Bridge, claiming that aid would be distributed.
Gaza Government Media Office: Occupation set a bloody trap at bridge of Wadi Gaza, luring thousands of starved civilians, and opened fire on them.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops sonic grenade in town of Ramiyah.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in town of Beit Lif.
The Government Media Office in Gaza: The occupation’s latest crime is further evidence of its ongoing implementation of genocide through starvation.

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

Challenges undermine Gulf States’ ambitions in AI development: FT

US expands federal contract cuts to target tech vendors: WSJ

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

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

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