Biden administration holds firm on backing Israel despite global condemnation over airstrike killing dozens in Gaza

The Biden administration has reiterated its support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza, despite an Israeli airstrike on a displaced persons camp in Rafah that killed at least 50 Palestinians and sparked international outrage. The airstrike, which occurred on Sunday, targeted an area full of tents, many of which caught fire, causing widespread destruction and leaving bodies of women and children burned beyond recognition.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby insisted the attack did not cross the “red line” set by President Biden in his previous statements, which warned that any major ground offensive in Rafah would prompt the US to reassess its support for Israel. Kirby characterised the airstrike as a “limited” operation, asserting that it did not constitute a large ground invasion. The US administration is awaiting an investigation by Israel into the incident.

Graphic footage shared online showed horrific scenes from the aftermath, including a person seemingly burned alive and a baby whose body was decapitated. Despite these disturbing visuals, the White House has not moved to condemn the airstrike. Instead, the Biden administration has called for a swift, transparent investigation by Israel, with spokesman Matthew Miller stating that the US is “deeply saddened” by the deaths, but stopping short of calling the strike a violation of international law.

Global leaders have condemned the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron described the strikes as outrageous and demanded an immediate ceasefire, noting that there were no safe areas left in Rafah for Palestinian civilians. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the violence, calling for an end to the indiscriminate attacks and calling Rafah a “killing field” for displaced persons.

The attack on Sunday was followed by further Israeli shelling and airstrikes on Tuesday, which claimed 37 more lives, mostly civilians sheltering in tents. This escalation has increased pressure on President Biden to reconsider his stance, as it comes only days after the International Court of Justice called on Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah, invoking the Genocide Convention.

The strike targeted an area that had become a sanctuary for Palestinians fleeing the violence in other parts of Gaza. The Biden administration’s firm stance, however, remains largely unchanged, with US officials reiterating that any major ground offensive would be a “red line” requiring reassessment of support. Biden’s support for Israel’s military actions has raised concerns over the US’s role in the ongoing conflict, with critics calling for stronger action to protect Palestinian civilians.

At a press briefing, Kirby was pressed on what would constitute a violation of the red line, noting that a major ground operation with large troop deployments would cross it. However, he defended the strike as a precise operation aimed at Hamas militants, claiming that the bombs used were small, precision-guided munitions and therefore not indicative of a broader offensive.

The Israeli army has since claimed responsibility for the strike, insisting that it was targeting a Hamas facility based on precise intelligence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later called the attack a “tragic mishap” and promised a thorough investigation. However, the international community remains sceptical, with calls for accountability continuing to mount.