Israel used US bombs in deadly attack in Rafah: CNN

Israel used bombs manufactured in the United States in its deadly attack on Sunday against a refugee camp in western Rafah, a city located in the south of Gaza, according to information revealed by the U.S. press. At least 45 people died and over 200 were injured in the bombing, which was described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "tragic accident." CNN reported that through an analysis of videos of the attack site and a review conducted by experts in explosive weapons, it was concluded that Israel used U.S.-manufactured bombs in the attack on Rafah. In the footage, the Rafah camp can be seen engulfed in flames, with dozens of men, women, and children desperately trying to seek shelter from the nighttime bombing, with charred bodies, including those of children, being pulled out from the rubble by rescue teams. The U.S.-made GBU-39 bomb used in the attack is a high-precision munition designed to target specific strategic objectives and produce minimal collateral damage. However, explosive weapons expert Chris Cobb-Smith warns that the use of any munitions in densely populated areas carries risks, as was evidenced in Rafah. President Joe Biden acknowledged in previous interviews that bombs provided by the United States to Israel have been used in civilian deaths, and threatened to halt arms supplies if Netanyahu ordered a full-scale invasion of Rafah. In early May, the U.S. halted the shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel due to concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah, but military support has continued to flow. Amidst this context, Israel has justified its actions by arguing that the attack in Rafah targeted high-ranking Hamas officials and that the munitions used were the smallest that their aircraft could employ. However, the deadly consequences of the bombing have sparked international outrage and raised questions about Israel's responsibility in protecting civilians in conflict zones. The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson has indicated that the fire following the attack was not solely caused by the weapons used, and an investigation is underway to determine what may have triggered such a massive fire. The United States has urged Israel to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack, while the international community closely monitors the situation in Rafah and maintains pressure to protect the civilian population. The presence of Israeli tanks in the center of Rafah has raised concerns about a possible broader ground operation, which has been denied by U.S. officials who view the military action in the city as "limited." Despite diplomatic rhetoric, violence in the region continues to claim lives and trigger mass displacements, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent and sustained responses from the international community. In this context, the role of the United States as the primary arms supplier to Israel has been questioned, especially regarding the use of weaponry in civilian areas. The tragedy in Rafah highlights the complexity and consequences of armed conflicts on civilian populations, as well as the responsibility of international actors in ensuring the protection of human rights and the safety of all individuals involved in conflicts.