The Biden administration stated on Tuesday that it is closely monitoring the investigation into a deadly Israeli airstrike, which it termed tragic.

However, the recent deaths in Rafah do not constitute a major ground operation crossing U.S. red lines.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that Israel has called the incident a tragic mistake. When asked if the events would lead to withholding aid to Israel, Kirby emphasized there is no specific "measuring stick" or quota for such actions.

He clarified that while the U.S. opposes a major ground operation in Rafah due to the potential for extensive damage and high casualties, the current operations are mainly in a corridor on Rafah's outskirts.

Kirby confirmed that recent ground operations in Rafah would not prompt the U.S. to withdraw more military aid.

The deaths in Rafah are testing President Biden's promise to withhold weapons from Israel if a major invasion endangers displaced persons there.

Vice President Kamala Harris described an Israeli airstrike that killed 45 Palestinians as tragic beyond words.

This was in response to questions about another incident in which Israeli tank shelling killed at least 21 people in a tent camp.

Israel stated that the airstrike targeted two senior Hamas operatives and was not intended to harm civilians. Hamas celebrated the martyrdom of two fighters, which Kirby cited as evidence of Israel's targeted efforts. Kirby mentioned the use of precision-guided munitions in the strike, suggesting an attempt to minimize civilian casualties. He noted the necessity of investigating the tragic results.

Kirby also highlighted the risk of Israel becoming further isolated internationally due to its current operations, which he said is not in the best interest of Israel or the U.S. Human rights and Arab American groups criticized the U.S. response, with some accusing President Biden of enabling war crimes. The term genocide has been rejected by Israeli and U.S. officials to describe the situation in Gaza.

The State Department expressed deep concern and called for an investigation into the Rafah incident, which Israel has agreed to conduct. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the scale of operations in Rafah has not matched those in central or northern Gaza.

Global leaders have condemned the incident in Rafah, where families displaced by the conflict had sought shelter. The Gaza health ministry reports that over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive, launched in response to a Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages.