The White House has clarified that the US does not consider Israel’s current actions in Rafah, Gaza, as a “major ground operation” that would trigger a reevaluation of US policy. This comes after Israeli forces reached the city center and seized a strategic hill. President Joe Biden had previously stated that he would reassess weapons supplies to Israel if it entered Rafah’s populated areas, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are sheltering.
White House spokesman John Kirby addressed the recent Israeli strike that killed at least 45 Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly, describing the images as “heartbreaking” and “horrific.” The US has called for a swift and thorough investigation into the incident.
When asked if the strike violated the limits set by President Biden, Kirby stated that there were no policy changes to announce, reiterating that the US does not support a major ground operation in Rafah.
The US is closely monitoring the situation and has urged Israel to conduct a quick investigation.
The Israeli government has insisted that taking Rafah is crucial to achieving victory in the seven-month war against Hamas, despite warnings of severe humanitarian consequences.
The US is facing growing pressure to exert greater influence on the Israeli government to minimize the conflict’s humanitarian impact.
