JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that an airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza, which killed dozens of Palestinians, was not intended to cause civilian casualties and would be thoroughly investigated.
“In Rafah, we already evacuated about one million non-combatant residents, and despite our utmost effort not to harm non-combatants, something unfortunately went tragically wrong,” Netanyahu said in a speech to parliament, which was interrupted by shouting from opposition lawmakers.
“We are investigating the incident and will reach conclusions, because this is our policy,” he added.
Netanyahu also reaffirmed his commitment to securing the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack, though he was interrupted by family members of the hostages.
Israel initiated its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 assault by militants that killed at least 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of over 250, mostly Israelis, in southern Israeli communities.
Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 36,000 Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled enclave, according to the Gaza health ministry.
