UK Opposes Any Military Operation in Palestinian Rafah

The United Kingdom has expressed its opposition to any large-scale military operation in Palestinian Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip without a clear plan to protect the hundreds of thousands of civilians residing there.

In a statement published by The Guardian on Monday, the British Foreign Office emphasized its clear stance against any military action in Rafah without a prearranged plan aimed at safeguarding the lives of civilians, most of whom have been displaced from other areas.

The Foreign Office highlighted that the quickest way to end this conflict is to secure a deal that ensures the release of hostages held within the sector and allows for a cessation of hostilities. It added, "We must work with our international partners to transform the ceasefire into a long-term cessation of hostilities."

The statement also noted that the British government is under pressure from Parliament to halt its arms sales to Israel and faces widespread criticism for stopping its funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) following unverified Israeli claims that 12 members of the UNRWA team were involved in attacks on October 7.