U.S. State Department Expresses Concern Over Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza City
Headline: U.S. State Department Expresses Concern Over Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza, Promises Investigation
The U.S. State Department has expressed deep concern over Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of 50 Palestinians and injuries to 249 others. The strikes set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians, prompting the State Department to reach out to the Israeli government for more information and urge a full investigation.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the Israeli government has promised a swift, comprehensive, and transparent review of the incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic mishap.”
The U.S. officials have received information from Israeli officials suggesting that the strike may have ignited a nearby fuel storage tank, causing the devastating outcome. The White House National Security Council called the images from Rafah “heartbreaking” and emphasized the need for Israel to protect civilians while targeting Hamas.
The incident in Rafah comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with more than 35,709 people killed in Gaza since Hamas’ attack on Israel. The U.S. response to the strikes is under scrutiny, as President Biden had previously warned against firing on civilian areas.
The international community has condemned the strikes, with aid groups and the U.N. calling for an end to the violence. The situation in Rafah remains precarious, with a significant portion of the population evacuating due to the ongoing conflict.
The aftermath of the air strikes in Rafah highlights the complex dynamics at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges faced by civilians caught in the crossfire. The U.S. and other global powers are closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.