Israel’s deadly strike on Rafah condemned by US officials

By Ashlee BanksSpecial to the AFRO

The Biden-Harris administration says the lethal assault on a Palestinian camp didn’t cross the road set by President Joe Biden.

On Might 28, throughout a press briefing, White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters that “Israel has a proper to go after Hamas.”

“We perceive that this strike did kill two senior Hamas terrorists who’re immediately chargeable for the assaults in opposition to the Israeli folks,” mentioned Kirby. “However, as we’ve mentioned many instances, Israel should take each precaution attainable to do extra to guard harmless life.”

Kirby’s feedback come after Israel launched a lethal strike on a Palestinian camp in Rafah on Might 26, killing greater than 45 folks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to as the assault a “tragic mishap.”

Netanyahu added, “We’re investigating the incident and can acquire a conclusion as a result of that is our coverage.”

Following the assault, members of Congress and human rights teams blasted Netanyahu and condemned the lethal offensive.

“Netanyahu and his right-wing authorities should cease the strikes in Rafah instantly,” U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, (D-Calif.) informed the AFRO. “I condemn the horrific bombing of a refugee camp and the killing of harmless civilians.”

The California lawmaker added, “1.4 million folks in Rafah are refugees and have nowhere else to go.”

Ahmed Benchemsi, advocacy and communications director for the Human Rights Watch, informed the AFRO

that the Biden-Harris administration must do extra to carry Israel accountable.

“Strain on Israel from the United State does work,” Benchemsi informed the AFRO. “Sadly, there was too little and too late of that, but it surely’s nonetheless time to impose different measures and to cease promoting weapons to Israel.”

This newest assault comes months after Hamas launched a shock assault in opposition to Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing not less than 1,200 folks and kidnapping greater than 250 others. Consequently, Israel has retaliated and launched quite a few assaults in Gaza for months, ensuing within the deaths of greater than 35,000 Palestinians, principally ladies and youngsters.

Final week, the Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC) introduced that it was searching for arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammad Diab Ibrahim al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh. Karim Khan, the court docket’s prime prosecutor, has accused Israeli and Hamas leaders of committing conflict crimes for the reason that battle started final fall.

Khanna mentioned the one option to stop additional bloodshed in Gaza is for members of Congress and the Biden-Harris administration to cease sending “offensive weapons” to Israel “if these assaults proceed.”

In current months, the Biden-Harris administration has despatched numerous navy support packages to assist Israel in its struggle in opposition to Hamas.