WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the United States called on Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into a recent bombing in Rafah, emphasizing the need for adherence to international humanitarian law. The strike on a tent city in Rafah resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, prompting concerns from the White House.
John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, addressed reporters, asserting that the incident did not constitute a violation of the “red line” established by President Joe Biden. “We still don’t believe that a major ground operation in Rafah is warranted,” Kirby stated. “We still don’t want to see the Israelis, as we say, smash into Rafah with large units over large pieces of territory. We still believe that and we haven’t seen that at this point.”
Kirby emphasized the importance of the Israeli investigation into the strike and highlighted the U.S.’s interest in its findings. “As a result of this strike on Sunday, I have no policy changes to speak to,” he added. “It just happened. The Israelis are going to investigate it. We’re going to be taking great interest in what they find in that investigation. And we’ll see where it goes from there.”
Kirby also warned about the potential for increased international isolation for Israel due to its current operational conduct. “So this is of concern, clearly, because it’s not in Israel’s best interest,” he said. “And it’s not in our best interest for Israel to become increasingly isolated on the world stage.”
At the State Department, spokesperson Matthew Miller faced a wave of inquiries regarding the Rafah attack and a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that called on Israel to halt its offensive in the area. Miller urged patience until the completion of a comprehensive investigation. “Those images were heartbreaking, and I know the pain those families are suffering through must be unimaginable, especially for those who lost children and family members for a repeated number of times,” he expressed.
Miller reiterated the U.S. stance that while Israel has the right to target Hamas terrorists responsible for the murder of civilians, it must also strive to minimize civilian casualties. “We reached out to the government of Israel to express our deep concern over what happened, asked for more information, and urged them to undertake a full investigation,” he said.
The U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely, stressing the need for a balanced approach that ensures both the pursuit of terrorists and the protection of innocent lives.