White House Maintains Stance on Rafah Camp Strike Amid Biden's Support for Israel
Despite a fatal attack claiming over 45 lives, President Biden's administration reaffirms its current approach to Israel, indicating that the incident has not breached the threshold for altering U.S. support.
President Joe Biden is maintaining his stance on Israel despite a recent deadly strike that claimed over 45 lives, the White House confirmed on Tuesday. The incident has not reached a point where it would prompt a shift in American support, according to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Kirby stated that the US will await the results of Israel's investigation into the heartbreaking incident and seek clarification on the matter.
Kirby informed reporters at the White House that there are no policy changes following the strike on Sunday. The Israelis will be conducting an investigation, and the United States will closely follow the findings.
This incident shows that Biden is not yet ready to halt arms shipments or aid to Israel. Despite his previous statement on CNN about restricting certain US weapons during a significant offensive in Rafah, no action has been taken so far.
Kirby urged Israel to prioritize the safety of civilians and expressed concern about the risk of Israel losing support from its usual allies. However, he clarified that there was no evidence suggesting Israel had conducted a military operation severe enough to lead President Biden to suspend aid or weapon supplies.
In a significant development, Israeli tanks were spotted in central Rafah on Tuesday, marking a shift in Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas. This move indicates a shift to a more intense phase of the offensive, despite increasing pressure from the international community.
Over the weekend, Israel carried out an airstrike on a displacement camp in southern Gaza city, resulting in the deaths of many and causing anger worldwide. Israel claimed that the strike also targeted and eliminated two Hamas leaders.
CNN obtained footage showing the camp engulfed in flames, with numerous individuals, including men, women, and children, desperately seeking shelter during the nighttime attack. Rescuers were seen retrieving burnt bodies, including those of children, from the ruins.
Vice President Kamala Harris described the incident as beyond tragic, but she chose not to comment on whether it crossed a red line when asked.
On the other hand, Kirby clarified that Israel's actions in the southern Gaza city have not reached the level of a major ground operation, which he defined as involving thousands of troops entering the area.
Kirby said if that happens, it could lead to him having to consider different support options. However, as of now, we have not witnessed such a situation.
Kirby mentioned that Biden has not made any public statements regarding these events, but he has been regularly updated on the latest actions taking place in Israel over the weekend.
The US response to the situation in Gaza differs greatly from the reactions of leaders in Europe and other parts of the world. While the US has not strongly criticized Israel's actions, leaders in Europe have condemned them and urged for the violence in Gaza to cease.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his outrage over the strikes in Gaza and called for an immediate halt to operations in Rafah.
"There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians," stated on Monday. The speaker called for full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, mentioned that Israel is investigating the possibility that the strike on Sunday may have accidentally triggered stored weapons in a nearby compound. This led to a large fire that destroyed the tented displacement camp.
Kirby mentioned that the US would consider Israel's evaluation of the incident as they plan their next steps.
He explained that the US is not directly involved in the operation. They are not conducting the flights, selecting the targets, or providing the intelligence that guides Israel's airstrikes. This is Israel's operation, with their troops, capabilities, and pilots. They are responsible for investigating the incident, and the US will review their findings once they are available.
The United States is closely monitoring the Israeli investigation into the deadly strike and subsequent fire in Rafah, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He emphasized the importance of the findings being presented openly and transparently to both the United States and the world.
Upon learning about the incident, the United States immediately contacted the Government of Israel to express deep concern, seek more information, and urge a thorough investigation.
