Falcon powers – The Biden administration is still assessing whether the Israeli airstrike that killed at least 45 displaced Palestinians in a refugee camp in Rafah on Sunday represents a violation of the alleged “red line” set by President Biden, according to two U.S.
officials who spoke to Axios.
The significance of this assessment comes after Biden earlier this month threatened to suspend the delivery of some U.S.-made offensive weapons if Israel enters populated areas in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza.
The U.S. officials later explained that the humanitarian crisis resulting from the mass displacement of civilians from Rafah could also constitute a violation of the red line set by Biden.
The airstrike was the deadliest incident in Rafah since Israel launched its offensive on the city in early May.
This occurred just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately cease its military operations in Rafah.
A U.S. official said the White House is working to determine exactly what happened in order to decide whether the circumstances warrant U.S. action.
A National Security Council spokesperson said the Biden administration is actively engaging with the Israeli military and partners on the ground to assess what occurred.
The spokesperson added that “the devastating images that followed the Israeli army’s strike on Rafah last night, resulting in the deaths of dozens of innocent Palestinians, are heartbreaking. Israel has the right to pursue Hamas…but as we have made clear, Israel must take all feasible precautions.” The spokesperson spoke of the need to take “possible precautions to protect civilians.”
