Biden Administration Urges Israel to Protect Civilians Amid Mounting Pressure
The Biden Administration has urged Israel to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians following a military strike in Rafah that resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinians.
This request comes amidst mounting pressure within the American president's administration from certain Democratic allies to cease military shipments to Israel, as reported by Reuters. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Israel's lethal airstrikes near Rafah in the Gaza Strip.
President Joe Biden has faced increasing pressure from within his own party to diminish support for Israel, predating Sunday night's airstrike that ignited tents and flimsy metal shelters in a Rafah camp, resulting in the deaths of 45 individuals, according to Reuters.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres similarly denounced Israel's lethal airstrikes near Rafah. "I condemn Israel's actions that resulted in the deaths of dozens of innocent civilians seeking refuge in this deadly conflict," Guterres wrote on the social media platform X on Monday.
"There is no safe haven in Gaza. This horror must cease," he added.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also expressed dismay at the loss of civilian lives in Gaza following Israeli airstrikes near Rafah.
"The images from the camp are horrifying and suggest no discernible shift in Israel's methods and modes of warfare, which have already resulted in numerous civilian casualties," Turk stated, as quoted on Monday in a statement.
"I urge Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah, as mandated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)," Turk added.
It is worth noting that the Hamas-led health authority in Gaza reported that 45 individuals perished and dozens were injured in the airstrike targeting tents housing displaced persons. The health authority stated that the majority of the airstrike's victims were women and children, characterising the event as a "massacre."
The Hamas-led health authority in Gaza reported that 45 people were killed and dozens injured in the airstrike that hit tents sheltering displaced people. Most of the victims of the air strike were women and children, the health authority said, describing the incident as a "massacre".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that the attack was not intended to result in civilian casualties but tragically went awry," according to DPA.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
