Israel conducted airstrikes on targets in the densely populated city of Rafah early Friday, despite warnings from Biden administration officials urging Israel to refrain from expanding its ground offensive to the southern city, where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have sought refuge.
Overnight airstrikes and continued attacks into Friday targeted two residential buildings in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of eight Palestinians. Another strike hit a kindergarten that had been repurposed as a shelter for displaced civilians in central Gaza, killing at least four people. Hospital officials and AP journalists witnessed the arrival of bodies at local hospitals following the attacks.
President Joe Biden expressed his dismay over Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on October 7. He described Israel’s conduct as “over the top,” marking the strongest criticism yet from the United States toward its ally and reflecting concerns about the rising civilian casualties in Gaza.
Israel’s plans to extend its ground offensive to Rafah drew unusual public condemnation from Washington. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel stated that there was no evidence of serious planning for such an operation, emphasizing the potential catastrophic consequences of launching an offensive in an area where a million people are seeking shelter.
The National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, also expressed disapproval, stating that a ground offensive in Rafah was not something the United States would support.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent rhetoric advocating for a “total victory” in the conflict has heightened tensions, particularly as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel to negotiate a ceasefire deal. Netanyahu’s plans to target Rafah have caused panic among the hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals, prompting concerns from Egypt, which warned against any ground operation that could jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel.
The recent airstrikes in Rafah resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite evacuation orders covering two-thirds of the territory, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in the northern half of Gaza, where they face the constant threat of Israeli airstrikes.
Israel’s extensive military campaign, now in its fifth month, has led to widespread destruction and displacement, with over 27,700 Palestinians killed and a quarter of the population facing starvation. Biden continues to work towards securing a ceasefire, linking it to the release of hostages seized by Hamas in October.
However, Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ demands for a hostage deal, further complicating efforts to end the conflict. Despite ongoing negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, Israel’s war objectives remain elusive, with Hamas regaining control in parts of northern Gaza and the humanitarian situation worsening by the day.
