12:32 p.m. ET, May 27, 2024
White House calls Rafah attack ‘heartbreaking’ while highlighting death of Hamas leaders
By CNN’s Kevin Liptak
Palestinians gather Monday at the site of an Israeli strike in Rafah.
EYAD BABA Eya/AFP via Getty Images
An Israeli strike in Rafah that left dozens of civilians dead is “heartbreaking,” a National Security Council spokesperson said Monday, adding that the United States was “actively engaging” with those responsible. Israelis to determine what precisely happened.
“The devastating images that followed the IDF attack in Rafah last night, which killed dozens of innocent Palestinians, are heartbreaking,” the spokesperson, who remained anonymous, said in a statement. “Israel has the right to attack Hamas, and we understand that this strike killed two high-ranking Hamas terrorists who are responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians,” the statement continued. “But as we have made clear, Israel must take every precaution possible. to protect civilians.
The official added that the United States is actively engaged with the Israel Defense Forces on the ground “to assess what happened and understand that the IDF is conducting an investigation.”
Remember: The United States has repeatedly warned Israel against a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah without a plan to protect the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there.
Speaking after a visit to Israel last week, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he had detected “improvements” in the Israeli plan, which he said was now more “targeted and limited “.
US President Joe Biden said he would not provide heavy bombs to Israel to support an operation in Rafah, but recently approved a billion-dollar military aid package including tank munitions and shells. mortar.
News Source : amp.cnn.com
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