Faced with global outrage, Netanyahu calls civilian deaths in Rafah attack a 'tragic accident'

Sunday's strike, which Israeli officials said targeted two Hamas leaders who were hiding near a civilian encampment, sparked a fire that killed 45 people, according to the Gaza Strip. authorities.
With growing international condemnation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the killing of dozens of people a day earlier in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah was "a tragic accident" but gave no sign of stopping the Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city.
The deadly fire that ravaged the camp on Sunday after an airstrike came at a particularly delicate moment for Israel, just days after the International Court of Justice appeared to order the country's military to suspend its Rafah offensive and as diplomats sought to restart negotiations for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli military said the target of the strike in Rafah on Sunday was a Hamas compound and that “precise munitions” were used to target a commander and another senior militant there. .
But at least 45 people, including children, were killed by the explosion and the fires it started, according to the Ministry of Health of Gaza. The ministry said 249 people were injured.
In a speech to Israel's parliament on Monday, Netanyahu said the army had sought to protect the non-combatants by issuing evacuation orders. , adding that around a million civilians had left Rafah before or during the offensive. “Despite our supreme efforts not to harm uninvolved civilians,” he said, “a tragic accident occurred to our great regret last night.”
ImagePalestinians mourn their loved ones killed in Rafah on Monday.Credit... Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock
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World May 28, 2024 0 22 Add to Reading List

Faced with global outrage, Netanyahu calls civilian deaths in Rafah attack a 'tragic accident'

Sunday's strike, which Israeli officials said targeted two Hamas leaders who were hiding near a civilian encampment, sparked a fire that killed 45 people, according to the Gaza Strip. authorities.

With growing international condemnation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the killing of dozens of people a day earlier in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah was "a tragic accident" but gave no sign of stopping the Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city.

The deadly fire that ravaged the camp on Sunday after an airstrike came at a particularly delicate moment for Israel, just days after the International Court of Justice appeared to order the country's military to suspend its Rafah offensive and as diplomats sought to restart negotiations for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli military said the target of the strike in Rafah on Sunday was a Hamas compound and that “precise munitions” were used to target a commander and another senior militant there. .

But at least 45 people, including children, were killed by the explosion and the fires it started, according to the Ministry of Health of Gaza. The ministry said 249 people were injured.

In a speech to Israel's parliament on Monday, Netanyahu said the army had sought to protect the non-combatants by issuing evacuation orders. , adding that around a million civilians had left Rafah before or during the offensive. “Despite our supreme efforts not to harm uninvolved civilians,” he said, “a tragic accident occurred to our great regret last night.”

ImagePalestinians mourn their loved ones killed in Rafah on Monday.Credit... Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock

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