In the aftermath of a devastating Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in Gaza's Rafah area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has termed the incident a "tragic accident." Despite the outcry and international condemnation, Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to continuing military operations in Gaza.
On Sunday, the Israeli military targeted the Tal al-Sultan refugee camp, considered a "safe zone," resulting in the deaths of at least 45 individuals and injuring hundreds more. The attack has sparked widespread condemnation globally, with significant reactions reported by The New York Times.
Addressing the Knesset, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of vigilance and civilian protection in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He asserted that the Israeli forces are striving to avoid civilian casualties but acknowledged that errors can occur in conflict zones.
"I have no desire to end this war before we achieve all our goals," Netanyahu stated. He reiterated Israel's objective to continue operations against Hamas in Gaza, despite the tragic incident. Netanyahu claimed that about one million residents in Rafah had been evacuated to minimize harm to non-combatants, though he conceded that the efforts were not foolproof.
The international community has reacted strongly to the attack. The European Union has urged Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice's directive to halt its operations in Rafah. EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, described the airstrike as "horrific."
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed deep concern over the high civilian toll from Israel's actions in Gaza. He noted that despite the significant casualties, there has been no apparent shift in Israel's military strategy.
The incident underscores the complex and volatile nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with significant humanitarian implications for the civilian population in Gaza. As the international community continues to call for restraint and adherence to humanitarian laws, the situation remains tense and unresolved.
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