US stance on Israeli operation in Rafah remains unchanged
- The White House and Washington Examiner both reaffirm that the US does not believe Israel has carried out a full-scale operation in Rafah.
- US policy towards Israel's actions remains consistent despite recent ground offensive and air strikes in Rafah.
- The lack of change in US assessment suggests ongoing diplomatic complexities in the Middle East.
STORY: Israeli forces went to the city center and took control of an important hill near the Egypt border. After that, there was a strike by Israel that caused a fire, leading to the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, including women, children, and elderly people, at a camp for displaced individuals. The aftermath of the strike was described as heartbreaking and horrific by Mr. Kirby, a White House spokesman. EXPLANATION: The Israeli strike resulted in the loss of innocent lives, which Mr. Kirby found very sad. When asked if the strike broke the rules set by President Biden, Mr. Kirby mentioned that there were no changes in policy. President Biden had warned Israel not to enter Rafah, as it would affect the support provided. Israel believed that capturing Rafah was crucial for winning the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: The attack in Rafah led to protests from neighboring countries like Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The United Nations expressed concern over the intensification of military operations in Rafah. The conflict between Israel and Hamas had caused many casualties, with the United States urging Israel to avoid a full-scale military operation in Rafah to protect the Palestinian refugees. Israel defended its actions, stating that the strike in Rafah was in line with previous airstrikes targeting Hamas.