Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recent airstrike in Rafah, which resulted in a tragic fire at a displacement camp, as a “tragic accident.”
Addressing the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu stated that the government is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, which claimed 45 lives and injured 249 others. He emphasized that the strike occurred despite efforts to evacuate non-involved residents from the area.
The strike carried out based on intelligence about the presence of Hamas militants, did not target the designated humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi. The Israeli military has initiated a formal inquiry into the specifics of the operation.
Facing sharp criticism both domestically and internationally, including from the European Union, France, and the United Nations, Netanyahu affirmed his government’s resolve to continue its military campaign against Hamas. In his speech, marred by interruptions from hecklers, he reiterated his commitment to achieving “absolute victory” and dismissed pressures to cease military actions.
This escalation follows the October 7 attack by Hamas, which led to significant Israeli casualties. The ongoing conflict has since resulted in over 36,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly among civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
