US maintains Israel policy despite ‘horrific’ Rafah strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged a “tragic mistake” in a recent air strike that killed dozens at a displacement camp in Rafah, adding to the growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The strike, which resulted in civilian casualties, has sparked outrage from global leaders, with even close allies expressing their condemnation.

US President Joe Biden and his top advisers have cautioned Israel against carrying out large-scale operations in Rafah without a plan to protect innocent civilians. While the administration has not immediately moved to curtail support for Israel, other world leaders have been more vocal in their criticism.

French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media to call for an end to the operations in Gaza, while Germany’s foreign ministry described the images of the strike as “unbearable” and emphasized the need to protect the civilian population. Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire talks, expressed concern that the Rafah strike could complicate negotiations.

China also voiced grave concern over the ongoing Israeli military operations in Rafah. The incident occurred just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in the area, where thousands of civilians had sought shelter.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby described the loss of life as “heartbreaking” and “horrific”, emphasizing the need for Israel to take every precaution to protect innocent lives. The US is monitoring the results of an Israeli investigation into the strike, which reportedly targeted two senior Hamas operatives.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller noted that Israel’s offensive in Rafah was on a different scale than previous attacks in Gaza, but urged Israel to avoid further assaults on vulnerable civilians. The US has urged Israel to take more precautions in densely populated areas like Rafah.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the US has not paused shipments to Israel following the strike, and security assistance continues to flow. Kirby acknowledged the challenges of conducting military operations in densely populated areas and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Netanyahu’s acknowledgment of the “tragic mistake” in the air strike marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The international community’s response to the incident underscores the importance of protecting civilian lives in conflict zones and holding accountable those responsible for civilian casualties. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Israel’s response and the efforts to prevent further loss of innocent lives.