Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib slams bombing of Rafah as ‘intentional’ as Israel calls it a ‘mistake’

Democratic Consultant Rashida Tlaib has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he claimed that Israel’s bombing of Rafah was a “mistake”.

An Israeli airstrike on tents in Rafah, meant for displaced Palestinians, killed at least 50 people and injured dozens more on Sunday, in response to Gaza well being authorities.

Prime Minister Netanyahu subsequently referred to as the strike “a tragic mistake” and mentioned that it will be investigated.

However Rep. Tlaib, the one Palestinian-American member of Congress, hit again on the Israeli chief’s rationalization.

“This was intentional,” she wrote on X. “You don’t unintentionally kill large quantities of youngsters and their households over and over and get to say, ‘It was a mistake.’”

Ms Tlaib additionally criticised President Joe Biden in her submit. “Genocidal maniac Netanyahu advised us he needs to ethically cleanse Palestinians,” she mentioned. “When are you going to imagine him @POTUS?”

Ms Tlaib has been closely criticized in Congress for the reason that Israel-Hamas conflict started final October when the militant group killed greater than 1,200 individuals and took greater than 250 hostages. An estimated 35,000 individuals have died in Gaza since Israel’s invasion.

Final yr 22 Democrats joined with Republicans to censure her for her remarks about the war, particularly her invocation of the time period “from the River to the Sea,” which she claimed was an announcement of liberation for Palestinians however that many understand to name for the destruction of Israel.

Ms Tlaib has additionally closely criticised Mr Biden’s assist for Israel all through the conflict, and backed efforts in the Michigan Democratic primary to vote “uncommitted.”

Consultant Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, a fellow member of the progressive coterie of Democrats often called “the Squad”, additionally condemned the bombing of Rafah on Monday.

“Horrific and intestine wrenching pictures popping out of Rafah final evening,” she posted on X. How for much longer will the U.S. stand by whereas the Israeli army slaughters and mutilates Palestinian infants? The place is our humanity?”

Greater than half of Gaza’s 1.5million individuals have sought refuge within the southern metropolis of Rafah, and the Biden administration has repeatedly referred to as invading Rafah a purple line because of this.

Mr Biden mentioned in April that the US would not supply Israel with weapons for an attack on Rafah and confirmed that there was a hold on the shipment of 2,000-pound US bombs meant for Israel.

Nationwide Safety Spokesman John Kirby advised Axios on Monday that the photographs rising from the Rafah strike have been “heartbreaking.”

“The devastating pictures following the IDF strike in Rafah final evening that killed dozens of harmless Palestinians are heartbreaking,” he mentioned.

“Israel has a proper to go after Hamas… however as we’ve been clear, Israel should take each precaution doable to guard civilians. We’re actively participating the IDF and companions on the bottom to evaluate what occurred.”