Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to press on with military operations against Hamas in Gaza despite widespread condemnation following an airstrike in the town of Rafah that resulted in the deaths of dozens of displaced Palestinians.

In a statement to Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu referred to the incident in Rafah as a “tragic mistake” but underscored the determination of Israeli forces to continue their campaign until their objectives are achieved.

The airstrike in Rafah drew sharp criticism from numerous international organizations, with the foreign ministers of the European Union urging adherence to the International Criminal Court’s call for a cessation of hostilities.

The United States, while expressing sympathy for the victims and describing the footage of the burning tent camp as “heartbreaking,” reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense.

Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza, condemned the Israeli strikes, accusing Tel Aviv of flouting ICC rulings and signaling its unwillingness to engage in talks for a lasting ceasefire.

Despite international calls for de-escalation, Hamas remains steadfast in its resistance against any permanent cessation of hostilities.

Netanyahu sought to address concerns about civilian casualties, stating, “We have already evacuated about 1 million civilians in Rafah. Despite great efforts to avoid casualties, something tragically went wrong. We are investigating the incident. For us, every injured civilian is a tragedy; for Hamas, it is a strategy. That is the whole difference.”

The Israeli leader emphasized his commitment to securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, both alive and deceased, pledging to persevere until victory is achieved.

The escalation in violence comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Gaza experiencing a surge in cross-border clashes and rocket attacks in recent weeks.

Efforts by international mediators to broker a ceasefire have thus far yielded little progress, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

As the conflict enters a critical phase, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and facilitate dialogue aimed at de-escalating tensions and averting further bloodshed in the region.

While Netanyahu’s resolve to continue the offensive underscores Israel’s determination to address security threats posed by Hamas, the mounting civilian toll and international outcry underscore the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the longstanding conflict.

The coming days are likely to be crucial in determining the trajectory of the conflict, with the hopes of millions of civilians in Gaza and Israel hanging in the balance.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members