In the wake of a recent strike in Rafah, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby addressed questions regarding U.S. policy towards Israel. Despite international condemnation and inquiries about potential policy changes, Kirby confirmed that there are no changes to U.S. policy at this time. He emphasized that the U.S. does not support a major ground operation in Rafah and is awaiting the results of an Israeli investigation into the incident. Kirby also expressed that every loss of innocent life is tragic and reiterated the administration's stance on targeted and limited operations. When questioned about the number of charred corpses and the red line set by President Biden, Kirby stated that he takes offense at the question.
JUST IN: Journalist asks John Kirby, spokesperson for Biden's White House National Security Council, "How many more charred corpses does he have to see before the President considers a change in policy?" Question: "Can you explain how the strike in Rafah does not cross the lines… https://t.co/dy837sNaXE
REPORTER: “How many more charred corpses does he have to see before he considers a change in policy?” KIRBY: “I take offense to that question” https://t.co/XWFkclO9WV
REPORTER: “How many more charred corpses does he have to see before he considers a change in policy?” KIRBY: “I take offense at the question” https://t.co/F8oraYkIeA
JUST IN: Journalist asks John Kirby, spokesperson for Biden's White House National Security Adviser, "How many more charred corpses does he have to see before the President considers a change in policy?" Question: "Can you explain how the strike in Rafah does not cross the lines… https://t.co/5jhI5LFqVT
Kirby being Kirby again. Reporter: How does this (Rafah massacre) not violate the red line the President laid out? Kirby: We don’t want to see a major operation. We haven’t seen one. Reporter: How many more charred corpses does he have to see before he considers a change in… https://t.co/Sxs7DjI5tJ
Reporter: “How does [the IDF strike on a Rafah refugee camp] not violate the red line that the president laid out?” NSC's John Kirby: “We don't want to see a major ground operation. We haven't seen that at this point.” https://t.co/HMeBFYIX0s
Reporter: “How many more charred corpses does he have to see before he considers a change in policy?” Kirby: “I take offense at the question” https://t.co/pcgaxWKLgA
Kirby gets into heated back-and-forth with a reporter over the most recent strike in Rafah. Reporter: What is the administration going to do whether it was a tragic mistake or deliberate? Kirby: Let's see what the investigation says. Reporter: So you're going to wait for the… https://t.co/Y1JJnhf98f
Reporter: How does this not violate the red line the president laid out Kirby: We don’t want to see a major operation we haven’t seen one Reporter: How many more charred corpses does he have to see before he considers a change in policy Kirby: I take offense at the question https://t.co/9LMKl1BuAr
Reporter: "After this weekend's strike, is it our assumption that nothing about U.S. policy has changed or is changing in regards to [Israel]?" Kirby: "I have no policy changes to speak to. It just happened. The Israelis are going to investigate it. We're going to be taking… https://t.co/ULdKlmZELl
Reporter: "Can you explain how the strike in Rafah does not cross the lines that [Biden] has set...that the operations be targeted and limited?" Kirby: "We still don’t want to see the Israelis smash into Rafah with large units over large pieces of territory. We still believe… https://t.co/vXHhtkavy9
Q: "Can you explain how the strike in Rafah does not cross the lines that the president has set...? John Kirby: "We still don't believe that a major ground operation in Rafah is warranted...we haven't seen that at this point...every single loss of innocent life is tragic." https://t.co/EttKQ3MezS
Reporter: "We saw a good amount of international condemnation after this strike...We have not yet heard from the president publicly at all about this strike. Why is that?" Kirby: "You've heard the president on numerous occasions in just the last few days about what's going on… https://t.co/Qy8VMPW5Yn
Reporter: "After this weekend's strike, is it our assumption that nothing about U.S. policy has changed or is changing in regards to..." Kirby: "I have no policy changes to speak to. It just happened. The Israelis are going to investigate it. We're going to be taking great… https://t.co/ALl3Nu4j6n
Reporter: "Can you explain how the strike in Rafah not cross the lines that [Biden] has set...that the operations targeted and limited?" Kirby: "We still don’t want to see the Israelis smash into Rafah with large units over large pieces of territory. We still believe that. Now… https://t.co/IwyEIMsJ8X