A senior US official has stated that the President Joe Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation in Rafah following a deadly Israeli airstrike that resulted in a fire at a tent camp, claiming the lives of 45 Palestinians. However, the ongoing assault in Rafah does not exceed the “red lines” set by President Joe Biden, according to the official.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that Israel has characterized the incident as a tragic mistake, and the US does not have a specific metric to gauge such events. He noted that while the situation is being closely watched, the Israeli military operations in Rafah have not escalated to the extent of a full-scale invasion.
In response to the strike, Algeria is set to present a draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Rafah. Since the beginning of Israel’s assault on May 6, over 1 million people have been displaced from the city, according to UN estimates.
The Israeli military has initiated an investigation into the airstrike, acknowledging that while efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties, the resulting fire was unexpected and unintended. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that the investigation aims to determine the cause of the extensive fire.
Meanwhile, the US State Department affirmed its close monitoring of Israel’s investigation into the Rafah strike. Despite the ongoing military operations, the State Department spokesperson noted that the scale of Israel’s actions in Rafah has not reached the level seen in other parts of Gaza.
In addition to the humanitarian crisis, concerns have been raised about the safety and accessibility of aid facilities in Rafah. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted dire shortages of fuel and medical supplies in health facilities, exacerbated by the rising influx of casualties.
The Pentagon announced the temporary removal of a US military-built pier off Gaza’s coast after a section of the structure broke off. The pier, which began operations in March, facilitated aid transportation, with 137 trucks of aid transported since its inception.
As tensions escalate, Israeli tanks were reported to have entered central Rafah for the first time in the conflict against Hamas. This development signals a new phase of the offensive, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming the objective of dismantling Hamas and recovering hostages taken in a previous attack.
Amidst these developments, Spain, Norway, and Ireland have formally recognized a Palestinian state, with Slovenia considering a similar proposal. These diplomatic moves underscore the international community’s response to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
