US says Israeli massacres in Rafah not to impact aid, policy
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The United States underlines that the death, destruction, and despair in Rafah just as elsewhere in Gaza will not waiver its policy on "Israel".
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Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike where displaced people were staying in Rafah, Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, May 27, 2024. (AP)
The Biden administration merely expressed deep concern on Tuesday over a deadly Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza, labeling it "beyond tragic." However, despite the death and paramount destruction, officials stated that the recent massacres do not signify a major operation that crosses established red lines.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, addressing reporters at the White House, reiterated the declared Israeli claim that the bombing of refugee tents in Rafah, which was said to be a safe area, was a "mistake".
"The Israelis have said this is a tragic mistake," Kirby noted when asked if the weekend's events constituted the "death and destruction" US officials had warned against, completely adopting the Israeli narrative without the slightest bit of due diligence.
Kirby emphasized the absence of a specific "measuring stick" or quota for such incidents, but stressed the importance of avoiding a major ground operation in Rafah that could lead to extensive damage and significant loss of life. "We have not seen that yet," he said, continuing to ignore the civilian deaths and practically saying they would only count in light of an invasion.
When questioned about whether recent ground operations in Rafah would lead to the US withdrawing military aid, Kirby affirmed, "I believe that's what I've been saying here."
Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at a ceremonial event in Washington, called the Israeli airstrike on Sunday "beyond tragic," after it caused a fire in a tent camp in Rafah, killing 45 Palestinians, many of whom were burnt to death.
Kirby warned of the potential for the Israeli occupation to become increasingly isolated on the international stage due to the manner of its operations. "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."
Rafah massacre
On Sunday evening, the Israeli occupation forces committed a new massacre against dozens of displaced persons by bombing their tents set up in UNRWA warehouses in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, an alleged safe zone.
The Government Media Office reported that the Israeli occupation committed a horrific massacre through the concentrated and deliberate bombing of a center for the forcibly displaced, established in UNRWA barracks in the northwest of Rafah Governorate. The center was bombed with more than seven missiles and large bombs, each weighing more than 2,000 pounds of explosives.
According to the Government Media Office, this violent bombing led to the martyrdom of dozens and caused numerous injuries, some of which are very serious, indicating a confirmed rise in the number of martyrs from this massacre.
In turn, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that there were a large number of martyrs and injured due to the occupation's airstrike on the displaced persons' camp in Rafah, noting that the search for missing persons at the site remains ongoing.
Palestinian media also reported that "a large number of martyrs and injured are still in the camp, while ambulance and civil defense teams are struggling to reach them," adding that "the fires are still burning in the camp due to the bombing."
