US decries IDF strike in Rafah, urges Israel to prioritise civilian safety

Israeli police officers and security forces take some demonstrators into custody when they gather in front of the US Consulate General in West Jerusalem. Pic/Getty Images

John Kirby, the coordinator of strategic communications for the National Security Council, expressed deep regret for the innocent lives lost, especially children, in the recent Israel Defence Forces (IDF) strike in Rafah.

In a statement, Kirby said, "These devastating images and reports coming out of Rafah over the weekend following an IDF strike that killed dozens of innocent Palestinians, including children. You've all seen the images and they're heartbreaking. They're horrific." He emphasised the need to prevent any innocent casualties in the conflict, stressing, "There should be no innocent life lost here as a result of this conflict."

Kirby emphasised that although Israel has the right to target Hamas, it must put the safety of people first. He continued, "But as we've also said many times, Israel must take every precaution possible to do more to protect innocent lives." Kirby disclosed that the attack had gone for two senior Hamas terrorists, but he emphasised how crucial it was to prevent civilian casualties.

Addressing concerns about a potential major ground operation in Rafah, Kirby stated, "...We still don't believe that a major ground operation in Rafah is warranted." He expressed apprehension about large-scale military actions, stating, "We still don't want to see the Israelis, smash into Rafah with large units over large pieces of territory."

Kirby assured that the US government was closely monitoring the situation and engaging with Israeli defence forces to gather more information. He concluded by emphasising the tragic nature of every loss of innocent life, stating, "I want to just end this answer by making it very clear that regardless, every single loss of innocent life is tragic, and every single loss of innocent life should be prevented as much as possible."

Despite a terrible attack in Rafah on Sunday that left over 45 people dead, the White House confirmed on Tuesday that US President Joe Biden's position towards Israel has not altered, CNN reported.

This implies that the event has not yet gone beyond a threshold that would cause changes in US backing. Two Israeli strikes on displacement camps in southern Gaza on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 29, according to Palestinian authorities. CNN was informed by witnesses that Israeli tanks were seen for the first time in central Rafah, a sign that Israel's attack continues in defiance of international condemnation.

Additionally, US officials revealed that the makeshift pier built by the US military to get goods into Gaza collapsed in choppy waters on Tuesday, representing a serious setback to the US-led effort to provide a marine passage for relief supplies, CNN said.

(With Inputs from ANI)