In a recent statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strike in Rafah on Sunday as a "tragic mishap," following widespread international condemnation of the deadly blast. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 45 displaced Palestinians were killed in the attack, and hundreds more were treated for severe burns, fractures, and shrapnel wounds by NGOs in Rafah.

Netanyahu addressed the Israeli parliament, emphasizing the importance of taking every possible precaution to protect civilians caught in the conflict in Gaza. He claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had made significant efforts not to harm non-combatants. However, he acknowledged that something had gone tragically wrong and expressed a commitment to investigating the incident.

The European Union (EU) joined international organizations in censuring the strike, urging Israel to comply with a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice to halt attacks on Rafah. Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, deemed Sunday's strike "horrifying." UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, pointed out that the attack indicated a lack of change in Israel's methods of warfare, which have resulted in numerous civilian deaths.

The strike on Rafah was launched shortly after Hamas fired its first missile at Tel Aviv in months. Israeli officials stated that the attack had successfully targeted two senior Hamas commanders and that they were investigating civilian casualties. However, the Palestinian Red Crescent claimed that the airstrike hit tents for displaced people near a UN facility in Tal al-Sultan, with videos showing intense fires and explosions.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that their facility received 28 dead bodies, including women and children, and treated 180 wounded Palestinians. MSF disputed Israeli claims that the strike was precise, emphasizing the disregard for civilian lives. The United States expressed deep sadness at the images but asserted Israel's right to self-defense, stressing the need for precautions to protect civilians.

Israeli authorities spent Monday investigating the details of the incident. Questions are being raised about how a "precision strike" resulted in a firestorm that caused dozens of deaths and injuries. The International Court of Justice's ruling has placed immense pressure on Israel to explain its actions, as the world closely watches. Top military officials, including IDF's advocate general, Maj Gen Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, have promised a thorough investigation, raising expectations of a comprehensive explanation soon.

Despite the mounting criticism and devastating scenes, Prime Minister Netanyahu remains steadfast in his pursuit of "total victory" in Rafah. Israeli ground forces are advancing cautiously towards the city despite the airstrike's blow to Israel's already tarnished reputation and its rationale for continuing the campaign. The repercussions of this incident and the future direction of the conflict remain uncertain.