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 …