UK yet to see ‘credible’ Israeli plan to protect civilians in Rafah MPs told
An injured Palestinian boy awaits treatment at the Kuwaiti hospital in Gaza after Israeli strikes hit Rafah on 7 May 2024
Dania Akkad reports in Middle East Eye on 7 May 2024:
The UK government has not seen “a credible plan” from Israel about how civilians will be protected in Rafah, the UK’s deputy foreign secretary told MPs on Tuesday.
Andrew Mitchell’s comments came a day after the Israeli military told up to 250,000 Palestinians to leave the southern Gaza city ahead of a threatened ground assault, and then intensified its ongoing carpet-bombing campaign on the area.
Early on Tuesday, the Israelis seized the Rafah border crossing, cutting off a key aid route into Gaza where a top UN official has said there is a “full-blown famine” in the north now heading south.
“We are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military incursion, given the number of civilians sheltering there and the importance of that entry point for aid,” Mitchell said. “Israel must facilitate immediate, uninterrupted humanitarian access in south, especially the entry of fuel and ensure protection of civilians and safe passage for those who wish to leave Rafah. As yet, we have not seen a credible plan to protect civilians.”
In a heated debate, a dozen MPs from various parties repeatedly asked Mitchell to outline the consequences Israel would face if Rafah is invaded – but expressed frustration in receiving little further detail beyond the minister’s previous statements to parliament.
“Is there any red line? Is there anything the Israeli government could do which would so appall the government that it would feel the need to act?” said Conservative MP Kit Malthouse.
Labour MP Imran Hussain asked why the UK had not immediately thrown its support behind the International Criminal Court’s investigation into war crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories and halted arms sales. “It is shameful that the government comes here again today with nothing,” he said.” What is the UK government doing to stop this bloodshed and massacre about to happen in Gaza hours from now?”
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams said: “Quite frankly, I’ve been absolutely gobsmacked by the deputy foreign secretary’s response. I see no levers that the government is using to influence the Israeli government in their behaviour.”
In contrast, Conservative MP Suella Braverman asked Mitchell to “confirm that the UK government will maintain steadfast and resolute support for Israel as she finishes the job to eliminate Hamas from Gaza”.
Labour MP Andy McDonald said the comment “sent a chill through this chamber and through the homes of millions of people in our country because they know what that means,” he said. It means an “increased number of children being massacred in Rafah”.