IDF denies responsibility for deadly Rafah strike amid global condemnation

On Tuesday (28 May), Israeli Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari denied responsibility for a deadly strike that occurred on Sunday (26 May) in Rafah.

The strike ignited tents, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians and injuring over 200 individuals, including women and children.

The attack, which struck a refugee camp housing those who had previously fled from other parts of Gaza, has drawn international condemnation and is one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing conflict.

According to the Palestine Health Ministry, the total Palestinian death toll has now surpassed 36,000.

The Israeli military stated that the target of the strike was a Hamas installation, claiming the elimination of two senior militants.

In response to the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking before the parliament, described the attack as a “tragic mistake” and assured that a thorough investigation is underway.

Hagari provided further details, stating, “On Sunday night, we eliminated senior Hamas terrorists in a targeted strike on a compound used by Hamas in Rafah.”

“The strike was based on precise intelligence indicating that these terrorists, responsible for orchestrating and executing terror attacks against Israelis, were meeting inside the specific structure we targeted,” he added.

Despite efforts to minimize civilian casualties, a fire broke out following the strike, leading to the tragic loss of Palestinian civilian lives.

Hagari emphasized that the fire was unexpected and unintended.

“This is a devastating incident which we did not expect. We are investigating what caused the fire that resulted in this tragic loss of life.”

During the briefing, Hagari presented aerial footage from the time of the strike, showing that the targeted structure was a closed building away from the tent area.

“As you can see in our aerial surveillance, we targeted a closed structure away from the tent area. There are no tents in the immediate vicinity of the structure that we targeted,” he explained.

Contrary to reports, he stressed that the strike was conducted outside the area designated as a humanitarian zone, over a kilometre and a half away from the Al-Mawasi humanitarian area, which had been identified as a safer zone for civilians.

Hagari noted that the attack was conducted using two munitions with small warheads, specifically designed for targeted strikes.

“We’re talking about munition with 17 kilos of explosive material. This is the smallest munition that our jets can use,” he said.

Despite this, a large fire ignited after the strike for reasons still under investigation.

“Our munition alone could not have ignited a fire of this size,” Hagari reiterated, suggesting the possibility that weapons stored in a compound next to the target may have ignited as a result of the strike.

The IDF has pledged a swift, comprehensive, and transparent investigation into the incident.

“Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza,” Hagari stated, conveying deep sorrow for the tragic loss of civilian lives.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed outrage over Israel’s latest attacks, stating,  “These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians,” in a post on X.

Outraged by the Israeli strikes that have killed many displaced persons in Rafah.

These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians.

I call for full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 27, 2024

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell stated that the International Court of Justice ruling must be respected.

“International humanitarian law applies for all, also for Israel’s conduct of the war.”

Canada’s government expressed horror over the deadly airstrike in Rafah and called for an immediate ceasefire.

“Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a post on X.

“This level of human suffering must come to an end.”

We are horrified by strikes that killed Palestinian civilians in Rafah.

Canada does not support an Israeli military operation in Rafah.

This level of human suffering must come to an end.

We demand an immediate ceasefire.

— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) May 27, 2024

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli attack, while Qatar warned that the Rafah strike could hinder efforts to mediate a ceasefire and hostage exchange.