The Biden administration has stated that recent Israeli operations and attacks in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, do not amount to a major ground operation that would cross US red lines.
The administration is also closely monitoring the investigation into Sunday’s deadly strike on a tent camp, which it described as “tragic.”
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby addressed reporters after Israeli tanks were observed near the al-Awda mosque in central Rafah.
Kirby emphasized that the US is not ignoring the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
Referring to the airstrike that Gaza health officials reported killed at least 45 people, Kirby noted, “The Israelis have said this is a tragic mistake.”
When questioned about the potential impact of recent events on US military aid to Israel, Kirby responded, “I believe that’s what I’ve been saying here.”
He reiterated that the US does not want to see a significant ground operation in Rafah that could hinder Israel’s efforts to target Hamas without causing extensive damage and casualties.
Kirby pointed out that Israel’s operations on Tuesday were mostly confined to a corridor on the outskirts of Rafah.
The recent casualties in Rafah have tested President Joe Biden’s commitment to withholding weapons from Israel if a major invasion endangered displaced persons.
Addressing the presence of Israeli tanks in Rafah, Kirby clarified, “We have not seen them go in with large units, large numbers of troops, in columns and formations in some sort of coordinated maneuver against multiple targets on the ground.”
The Pentagon described Israel’s actions in Rafah as “limited in scope.”
Pentagon official Sabrina Singh mentioned that the administration awaits the Israeli military’s investigation into Sunday’s strike before making further comments.
Israel termed the loss of life a “tragic accident” and asserted that its munitions could not have caused the deadly blaze, claiming the strike targeted and killed two senior Hamas militants.
Later, an Israeli military spokesperson stated that the airstrike had not caused the fire.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces faced accusations of attacking the Tel al-Sultan area, the same site as Sunday’s attack.
Gaza authorities reported that at least twenty-one people were killed in the latest strike, with more than half being women.
The Israeli military denied involvement in this strike.
Kirby also warned of the potential for Israel’s actions to further isolate it from the international community, stating, “So this is of concern, clearly, because it’s not in Israel’s best interest.
And it’s not in our best interest for Israel to become increasingly isolated on the world stage.”
