For the first time since the start of the war in Gaza, Washington conditions its aid to Israel. In the event of a major offensive in Rafah, American President Joe Biden threatens his historic ally with no longer supplying him with certain weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he hoped to overcome his “disagreements” with US President Joe Biden and stressed the need for precision weapons to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.
“If you want to avoid civilian casualties, you need these weapons rather than imprecise weapons. But I think beyond that, I’ve known Joe Biden for many years, 40 years and counting,” did he declare.
“We have often agreed, but we have had disagreements. We have managed to overcome them. I hope we can overcome them now, but we will do what we have to do to protect our country”he added.
Previously, Netanyahu pledged to continue military operations in Gaza, saying his country was ready to go it alone if necessary.
“I already told you: we will fight with our nails. But we have more than nails” said Mr. Netanyahu.
The comments come as US President Joe Biden announced the possibility of halting some arms deliveries to Israel.
Joe Biden said he would not provide offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah – the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza, according to Israel.
The United States is taking the most radical steps yet to influence its ally’s decision-making in the war sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.
Not to the taste of the Republicans
A number of senators spoke on Capitol Hill on Thursday, saying Mr. Biden needs to change course.
“The withholding of weapons makes the recovery of American and Israeli hostages very difficult, if not impossible, because it incentivizes bad behavior” said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. “Withholding weapons makes Iran stronger, not weaker.”
“This is unprecedented” said James Risch, Democratic Party senator from Idaho. “It will be observed by our enemies. It will be observed by our allies. And it is not helpful to the national security of the United States.”
The shipment of a shipment supposed to contain 1,800 900 kg bombs and 1,700 225 kg bombs had already been blocked last week, according to a senior US administration official who spoke under the cover of anonymity. The United States is most concerned about the size of the explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban area.
The case also comes as the Biden administration is expected to issue a formal verdict this week, the first of its kind, on whether airstrikes on Gaza and restrictions on the delivery of aid violated the laws international and American organizations intended to spare civilians the worst horrors of war.
A ruling against Israel would increase pressure on Mr. Biden to reduce the flow of arms and money to the Israeli military.
Panic and chaos in Rafah
The crowded town of Rafah, in the far south of the Gaza Strip, has been plunged into panic and chaos following Israel’s capture of the nearby border crossing with Egypt and amid the possibility of a large-scale invasion is looming.
Tens of thousands of displaced and exhausted Palestinians have packed up in Rafah, leading families into a new exodus.
An estimated 80,000 Palestinians are trying to flee Rafah as Israel bombards the eastern part of the besieged city, home to some 1.5 million people.
Israel’s continued closure of the Rafah border crossing “prevents vital aid from entering Gaza”declared the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Since October 7, Israeli attacks on Gaza have left at least 34,904 dead and 78,514 injured. The death toll from the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel stands at 1,139, with dozens still held captive.