USAID head Samantha Power cautioned on Wednesday that the Israeli military operation in southern Gaza is resulting in "catastrophic consequences," despite what she claimed were efforts by the Biden administration to mitigate the negative effects.
 
During a virtual event with governments engaged in the humanitarian response in Gaza, Power remarked, "Despite the currently scaled-back military operations around Rafah and the Egypt/Gaza border, the catastrophic consequences that we have long cautioned about are materializing."

Her remarks represent one of the most critical evaluations thus far from the Biden administration regarding the Rafah invasion. Since its commencement earlier this month, administration officials have consistently claimed that Israeli operation remains within acceptable bounds, alleging that "Israel" is carrying out targeted strikes rather than launching a significant ground offensive.
 
When questioned about Power's comments, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby informed reporters, “Of course, there has been catastrophe in Gaza.” He claimed that this has been consistent throughout the war and alleged that Hamas attributed the commencement of the fighting.

This is happening as Israeli tanks continued raids in the southern city of Rafah for a second day on Wednesday, despite the International Court of Justice's call to halt the offensive. Since Sunday, Israeli attacks have reportedly resulted in the burning of numerous Palestinians alive, mainly children, seeking shelter in tent camps in Gaza, prompting calls from Washington's allies to cease the military operation permanently.

Earlier tonight, the Israeli occupation forces carried out another appalling massacre in the displacement refugee camps northwest of #Rafah, killing at least 26 Palestinians and injuring a dozen more. According to #AlMayadeen's correspondent, ongoing search efforts are underway… pic.twitter.com/71XeY2gj0p

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 26, 2024

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“Our partners … have told us it feels like the war is starting all over again — and conditions are worse now than at any period before, given everything that has happened in the ensuing months,” Power stressed.

Elsewhere in her remarks, Power stated that 95% of Gaza's population has been without access to clean water for several months, leading to a surge in water-borne diseases. Additionally, she noted that approximately 80% of Gaza's health facilities are not functioning. 

Day 236 of Israeli aggression: 36,171 killed, 81,420 injured in Gaza

Israeli occupation forces committed six massacres against Palestinian families in Gaza in 24 hours, killing 75 Palestinians and injuring 284 others, Gaza's Ministry of Health said today. 

Many victims remain under the rubble and on the streets as the IOF deliberately prevents ambulances and civil defense crews from reaching them.

This brings the total number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli occupation since October 7 to 36,171 and those injured to 81,420, the Ministry added.

It is believed that these numbers are nowhere near the true number of victims of "Israel's" genocidal war in Gaza, as Palestinian healthcare authorities face significant challenges in accurately tallying the number of martyrs wounded and individuals dying beneath the rubble.