Rafah, Gaza Strip – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism on Sunday after a deadly strike in Rafah resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strike, which left hundreds more with severe injuries, was described by Netanyahu as a “tragic mishap” during a speech in the Israeli parliament.

Netanyahu emphasized the importance of taking every precaution to protect civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict in Gaza. He maintained that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made efforts to avoid harming non-combatants but vowed to continue the fight against Hamas.

The international community condemned the strike, with the European Union urging Israel to abide by a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to cease attacks on Rafah. Despite the ICJ’s decision, Israel announced its intention to proceed with the invasion of Rafah, maintaining that the attack complied with international law.

In the aftermath of the strike, humanitarian organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported treating numerous casualties, including women and children. MSF disputed Israeli claims of precision targeting, denouncing the attack on a populated camp as a disregard for civilian lives.

The United States expressed sympathy for the victims but affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, citing the killing of two senior Hamas terrorists in the strike. However, the U.S. also stressed the need for Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians in its military operations.

As investigations into the incident continued, questions arose about how a “precision strike” resulted in significant civilian casualties. Israeli military officials pledged a thorough inquiry, promising to provide detailed explanations soon.

Despite the backlash from the strike, Netanyahu remained steadfast in his commitment to achieving “total victory” in Rafah. Israeli ground forces cautiously advanced towards the city, with operations so far avoiding a bloodbath. However, the air strike further tarnished Israel’s reputation and raised doubts about the rationale for continuing the offensive.