The Guardian view on the Rafah offensive: crossing US red lines should have consequences | Editorial

Joe Biden should back a UN security council resolution to end the fighting in Gaza rather than shielding Israel from criticism

The Israeli strike that killed at least 45 displaced Palestinians, many of them women and children, at a tent camp in Rafah this weekend clearly crossed JoeBiden's red line" over the need to protect civilians in the Gaza conflict. France's Emmanuel Macron did not doubt what should happen next. These operations must stop," he posted on X. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians. I call for full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire."

Those in Israel who believe that they still need to make an appearance of deference towards US sentiments pleaded that the whole episode was a mishap" rather than a deliberate political insult. MrBiden is inclined to give Israel's forces the benefit of the doubt, and give himself wriggle room to say his line hadn't been crossed. Despite the international outcry over Sunday's deadly blast, Israel stepped up itsmilitary offensive on Tuesday, sending tanks into Rafah and leaving a score more civilians dead when it apparently struck a tented area.