John Kirby on military aid to Israel: 'There is no change in policy'

Photo: John Kirby

National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said reports of dozens dead in the Rafah camp for displaced Palestinians in an Israeli airstrike were “horrific”, but he The strike is not a consequence of a major ground operation and therefore does not violate any red lines. USA, reports “Voice” of America.

“The Israelis said that this was a tragic mistake,”– National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House when asked whether the weekend's events amounted to the type of “death and destruction” that U.S. officials have warned could lead to a withdrawal of further military aid to Israel. .

"We did not see them enter in large units, large numbers of troops, columns and formations, or make any coordinated maneuver against various targets on the ground, – Kirby said about Israeli troops. – There are no policy changes to speak of..

At the same time, a White House spokesman said that the United States “does not turn a blind eye” to on the plight of Palestinian citizens.

Kirby added that the strike killed two senior Hamas leaders who were directly responsible for the attacks.

He also stressed that the United States has repeatedly warned Israel to take all possible measures to protect innocent lives.

"The Israeli Defense Forces are conducting a full investigation, which we believe will vital to preventing similar incidents in the future– noted a White House official. – Today the Israel Defense Forces released initial findings that indicate that the fire was caused by a secondary explosion and not by the impact itself.”.

“I think it's clear suggests that airstrikes in densely populated areas of Gaza, including Rafah, carry a risk of civilian casualties, which, unfortunately, happened in this case.”.

Prepared by: Sergei Daga