Netanyahu calls Rafah attack ‘tragic mistake’ amid global outcry; EU foreign ministers consider sanctions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (May 27) called Israel’s deadly strike on the Rafah camp this weekend a “tragic mistake,” amid global outrage over the number of civilians killed in the Gaza war grows and the European Union’s (EU) external relations ministers engage in a “meaningful” discussion for the first time on sanctions against Israel if it fails to comply with international humanitarian law, Politico reports.

Netanyahu said Israel would investigate Sunday’s ‘incident’, in which at least 45 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured while seeking shelter in a displaced persons camp, and ‘draw conclusions’ .

“Despite our best efforts not to harm innocent civilians, a tragic mistake was made.

last night,” Netanyahu said, adding that an investigation would be opened.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that two senior Hamas officials were killed in the strike, but acknowledged there were civilian casualties.

Doctors Without Borders treated around 180 people injured in the Israeli attack and condemned threats and attacks against civilians in the “safe zone”.

Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Rep. Eric Swalwell, have criticized Israel’s actions, calling for an end to hostilities and expressing concern about the safety of civilians and the ineffectiveness of the tactics.

Senior EU officials were also quick to condemn the strike, with Germany’s Foreign Ministry issuing an unusual reprimand and French President Emmanuel Macron expressing “indignation” at the civilian casualties and demanding “full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire.” an IDF investigation.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk echoed the call for an investigation and said

“Sunday’s strike shows once again that there is literally no safe place in Gaza.”

The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, reiterated his call for Israel to cease its operations in Rafah. “Israel continues the military actions it was asked to stop,” he said, adding that Hama was also not following the rules.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said on Monday that the EU Foreign Affairs Council had addressed the need to respect international humanitarian law following the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel must end its offensive in Rafah and open the way for aid deliveries.

On Monday, major discussions took place over possible sanctions if Israel did not comply with the decision and the EU is considering convening a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council to address these concerns.

Martin highlighted the EU’s commitment to human rights in response to the recent deadly attack in Rafah, adding that

“international humanitarian law, respect for human rights is the reason for the existence of the EU”.

“Responsibility is very important. It is important for all those who were killed in Hamas attacks, for Hamas to be held accountable for what it did, and for the thousands of Palestinians who were brutally killed in this war,” Martin said .

Also read: VIDEO | After Hamas attack on Tel Aviv, Israeli strikes hit Rafah camp

Follow us on Facebook and X!