Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the airstrike that Gazan authorities said killed dozens of civilians in a Rafah tent camp a “tragic mistake.”
Authorities in Hamas-run Gaza said that at least 45 people were killed and nearly 250 were injured in the airstrike, which Israel said targeted two senior Hamas terrorists. Netanyahu said that Israel is investigating what happened.
“Despite our utmost efforts not to harm innocent civilians, last night, there was a tragic mistake,” Netanyahu said on Monday to the country’s parliament. “We are investigating the incident and will obtain a conclusion because this is our policy.”
If the death toll is confirmed, the airstrike would mark the deadliest incident in Rafah since Israel began its incursion into the area earlier this month.
The White House also addressed the Rafah strike on Monday. A National Security Council spokesperson said that U.S. officials are engaged with officials in the Israel Defense Forces to assess the situation.
“Israel has a right to go after Hamas, and we understand this strike killed two senior Hamas terrorists who are responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians,” the spokesperson said. “But as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.”
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Some 900,000 Palestinians have fled from Rafah after the IDF issued evacuation orders for parts of the city earlier this month after Hamas launched an attack from Rafah near a key border crossing that is the primary entry point for humanitarian aid.
Also on Monday, Israeli and Egyptian troops exchanged gunfire at the Rafah border crossing, reportedly resulting in the death of one Egyptian.
