US Does Not Believe Israel has Launched Full-Scale Invasion of Rafah in Southern Gaza – White House

US denies full-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza

In a recent development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the US has stated that it does not believe Israel has launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. White House spokesman John Kirby made the announcement after Israeli forces reportedly reached the center of the city and seized a strategic hill overlooking the nearby border with Egypt.

The statement came in response to questions about an Israeli air strike that resulted in a fire on Sunday, killing at least 45 Palestinians at a tented camp for displaced people. Israel has claimed that the fire may have been caused by the explosion of weapons stored by Hamas.

Kirby described the images from Sunday’s strike as “heartbreaking” and “horrific,” emphasizing that innocent lives should not be lost in the conflict. He also mentioned that Israel is investigating the incident and that there are no policy changes at this point.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strike a “tragic mishap” but vowed to continue the operation in Rafah. The Israeli military said it was investigating the possibility that the fire was caused by the explosion of weapons stored by Hamas near the target area.

US President Joe Biden has made it clear that a full-scale Israeli offensive in Rafah would cross a red line, and there could be a halt in arms supplies to Israel in the event of a major ground operation in the city. The Israeli military stated that it is continuing activities against “terror targets” in Rafah.

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in the displacement of around a million people, with hundreds of thousands still seeking shelter in the area. The UN has expressed concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing violence.

The Israel Defense Forces initiated targeted ground operations against Hamas in Rafah in early May, gradually advancing into different areas of the city. The military campaign was launched in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on southern Israel.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in the conflict, with the international community closely monitoring the developments in the region.