In a recent development that has sparked a wave of criticism from Israeli political leaders, U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to Israel.
The President has threatened to halt American military aid to the country if it proceeds with its planned invasion of Rafah, a southern city in Gaza. Rafah is currently a sanctuary for over a million Palestinians seeking refuge from Israel's offensive in the region.
During an interview with CNN, President Biden stated, "If Israel goes into Rafah, we're not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used." He further explained his stance, highlighting the civilian casualties in Gaza resulting from the use of these weapons. "Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers," Biden said. He emphasized that if Israel invades Rafah, he would not supply the weapons that have historically been used in such operations. However, he clarified that this does not mean the U.S. is abandoning Israel's security, but rather its ability to wage war in those areas.
The President's remarks have drawn sharp responses from Israeli political figures. Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right National Security Minister known for his controversial comments encouraging the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of Gaza, took to social media platform X to express his views. He wrote, "Hamas [loves] Biden."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another politician known for his extreme anti-Palestinian views and support for the continued expansion of West Bank settlements, was equally combative. He asserted that the war must continue until victory, despite the opposition from the Biden administration and the halt in arms shipments. He further stressed the need to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned, which involves fully conquering Rafah.
Israel's leading diplomats also voiced their concerns, albeit in a more measured tone. Foreign Minister Israel Katz, for instance, stated on X that "Israel will continue to fight Hamas until its destruction," without directly referencing Biden's comments.
Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, described Biden's intervention as "difficult and very disappointing." Speaking to Israel's Kan public radio, Erdan suggested that the White House's stance was a politically charged move that could give hope to Israel's enemies.
Meanwhile, some leading opposition figures in Israel have directed their criticism towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right Cabinet members. Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli accused Netanyahu and his government of worsening Israel's strategic situation and bringing the country closer to existential danger. Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed these sentiments, stating that Ben Gvir's tweet posed a danger to the country.
Biden's threat to freeze military aid marks a significant step in the White House's efforts to deter an Israeli assault on Rafah. Netanyahu and his war Cabinet have repeatedly asserted that Israel's war to "eradicate" Hamas and free the hostages it still holds cannot be successful without entering the town on the Egyptian border.
This week, Israeli tanks seized the border crossing area in a "limited" operation and launched renewed airstrikes in Rafah. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet launched a full assault.
The U.S. has already delayed the delivery of a military aid shipment containing precision-guided munitions. Israeli military figures have expressed concerns that this might result in more civilian casualties if the IDF resorts to using less sophisticated bombs.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller clarified during a Wednesday briefing that the shipment freeze should not be interpreted as a strategic shift. He reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to Israel's security but expressed serious concerns about a potential Rafah operation and its impact on the civilian population and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
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