White House spokesperson John Kirby stated on Tuesday that the United States considers the recent fatal Israeli airstrike in Rafah to be tragic, but it does not represent a significant ground operation that breaches any US red lines. His comments followed a Sunday airstrike by Israel that caused a fire in a tent camp in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of 45 Palestinians.
“The Israeli government has described this incident as a tragic error,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby informed journalists at the White House. This statement was in response to an inquiry about whether the weekend’s events could be classified as the kind of “death and destruction” that US officials had cautioned might lead to the suspension of additional aid to Israel.
Washington isn’t using “a measuring stick here or a quota,” stated Kirby.
“We have expressed our concern about a significant ground operation in Rafah that could hinder Israel’s efforts to target Hamas without resulting in considerable destruction and potentially numerous fatalities. So far, that has not occurred,” stated the White House spokesperson, pointing out that Israel’s actions were mainly confined to an area on the edge of Rafah. When questioned whether the recent ground operation in Rafah would lead to a reduction in US military aid, Kirby responded: “I believe that’s what I’ve been communicating here.”
The White House gave its approval to Israel following President Joe Biden’s earlier statement that a large-scale offensive in Rafah, which is currently home to hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of whom are displaced, would be crossing a red line.
Kirby addressed the issue of the Israeli airstrike that led to a blaze and the deaths of 45 Palestinians at a displacement camp on Sunday.
Describing the strike, which primarily resulted in the loss of women, children, and the elderly, Kirby called it “heartbreaking” and “horrific.” He emphasized, “There should be no innocent life lost here as a result of this conflict.”
Israel has suggested that the fire might have been triggered by Hamas weapons stored nearby detonating.
