Escalation of violence in Rafah: United States supports Israel's operation without crossing Biden's "red lines"

The United States stated on Tuesday that Israel's operation in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, has not crossed the "red lines" established by President Joe Biden. The White House, through its spokesperson John Kirby, expressed that they do not consider Israel to have launched a large-scale invasion in the region. This statement comes after Israeli forces entered the city center and seized a strategic hill that overlooks the border with Egypt. President Biden had previously expressed concern about limiting the supply of weapons to Israel if they were to be used in the "population centers" of Rafah, where it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of civilians are still taking refuge. Following the recent Israeli attack that caused a fire in a refugee camp and resulted in the death of at least 45 Palestinians, the White House described the images as "heartbreaking" and "horrible," reiterating the importance of avoiding the loss of innocent lives amidst this conflict. The State Department has indicated that they are closely monitoring to ensure a thorough investigation by the Israeli army into the attack. However, when questioned about previous investigations and their outcomes, spokesperson Matthew Miller avoided giving specific details, noting that it is difficult to draw conclusions amid an ongoing conflict. The statements from the White House and the State Department come in a context of increasing pressure on the Israeli government to minimize the humanitarian impact of the situation in Rafah. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has urged the Biden administration to suspend offensive military assistance to Israel until ensuring that the measures requested by the president, including those related to the city in question, are respected. On the other hand, Israel has defended its actions in Rafah by arguing that they cannot achieve victory over Hamas without taking control of the city. Despite international criticism and condemnation for the recent attack that caused the death of dozens of civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the operation will continue in the region. The international community, through various countries such as Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, has expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Rafah and has condemned Israel's actions. The UN has reported that around one million people have fled the fighting in the city, while hundreds of thousands more could continue seeking refuge there, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Amid the ongoing bombings and military operations, residents of Rafah have described scenes of horror and destruction. Witness testimonies have highlighted the intensity of the attacks and the devastation caused in the city. Uncertainty and fear among the local population intensify as violence persists and military operations extend to different areas of Rafah. The situation in Rafah remains critical, with reports pointing to new attacks and displacements of the population. Meanwhile, the international community continues to press for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations to end the conflict in Gaza. Peace and stability in the region still seem distant, as violence and suffering persist in the city of Rafah.