President Biden warned he will halt military aid to Israel if it proceeds with an invasion of Rafah, marking his most direct threat since the onset of the conflict.
In an interview with CNN Wednesday, Biden said the use of American weapons has resulted in civilian casualties in Gaza, particularly as Israeli forces have targeted densely populated areas. He said U.S. was still committed to Israel’s defense and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms, but if Israel goes into Rafah, despite significant international and domestic concern. “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
It’s significant pivot from Biden’s policy on supplying Israel with weapons since Hamas October 7 attacks. But it follows his recent decision to suspend a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel, raising concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas such as Rafah.
Currently, over a million displaced Palestinians are in Rafah, which Israel identifies as a significant military base for Hamas. The Biden administration has articulated its opposition to any major Israeli ground operation in Rafah that lacks a credible civilian protection plan.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing this week that while the U.S. remains committed to ensuring Israel's defensive capabilities, it is reassessing imminent security assistance in light of the developments in Rafah. Following Israel's control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, U.S. officials regard the operation as relatively limited, but caution that an escalation of the operation could critically damage U.S.-Israeli relations.
This move has exacerbated the already growing strains between the Biden administration and Netanyahu's government, particularly with the ongoing conflict in Gaza drawing international scrutiny. Israel has voiced disappointment with the decision citing concerns that this could undermine ongoing hostage negotiations.
These developments come amid the Biden administration's ongoing review of whether Israel's actions in Gaza have breached international and U.S. laws aimed at protecting civilians during warfare. The review is part of a broader examination of U.S. military support to Israel as Netanyahu appears poised to intensify military operations in Rafah.
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This is Biden's gift to the hard left antisemites in the Democratic Party. It shows that he is more concerned about losing Muslim votes than helping Israel defeat a terrorist organization. Hamas has vowed that it will keep killing jews as long as it is able. How can any of our allies truly rely on American help in a crisis?
Evil surely must be so difficult to comprehend for some. I suppose it's because the left denies evil exists at all. That makes the struggle between good and evil harder. Should we continue the struggle? You bet.
This is Biden's gift to the hard left antisemites in the Democratic Party. It shows that he is more concerned about losing Muslim votes than helping Israel defeat a terrorist organization. Hamas has vowed that it will keep killing jews as long as it is able. How can any of our allies truly rely on American help in a crisis?
Evil surely must be so difficult to comprehend for some. I suppose it's because the left denies evil exists at all. That makes the struggle between good and evil harder. Should we continue the struggle? You bet.