Israeli Official Predicts Gaza Offensive to Continue Through End of Year: Live Updates

The recent Israeli strike in southern Gaza that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians has sparked international outrage and raised questions about the United States’ role in supplying weapons to Israel. Despite the tragic loss of life, U.S. officials have stated that the attack did not cross President Biden’s red line for withholding arms shipments to Israel.

The strike, which occurred in the heavily populated area of Rafah, led to the deaths of at least 45 people, including children, and wounded 249 others. The Gazan health ministry reported that the attack ignited a deadly fire, further adding to the devastation in the region. The international community, including leaders from the European Union, the United Nations, Egypt, and China, have condemned the strike and called for accountability.

In response to the incident, White House spokesman John F. Kirby expressed condolences for the lives lost but maintained that the scale of the attack did not warrant a change in U.S. policy towards Israel. He emphasized that the U.S. does not want to see a major ground operation in Rafah and noted that Israeli tanks were on the outskirts of the city to pressure Hamas, rather than engaging in a full-scale invasion.

President Biden, who had previously warned Israel against targeting heavily populated areas in Rafah, reiterated his stance on CNN earlier this month. He stated that the U.S. would not supply weapons for attacks on civilian areas and emphasized the importance of ensuring Israel’s security while holding them accountable for their actions.

The Israeli military claimed that the target of the strike was a Hamas compound and that precision munitions were used to target specific individuals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the civilian casualties as a “tragic accident” and expressed regret for the loss of life.

As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with thousands of people fleeing the violence, the U.S. State Department is closely monitoring Israel’s investigation into the incident. Questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the strike and the potential presence of a Hamas ammunition dump in the area.

Critics have raised concerns about the ambiguity of President Biden’s red line for Israel’s military operations in Rafah. Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, suggested that the White House’s reluctance to define a clear boundary allows Israel to potentially overstep without consequences.

The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with world leaders urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of civilians caught in the crossfire. The tragic events in Rafah serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to end the violence.