President Joe Biden has delivered a firm message to Israel indicating that his administration will halt the supply of bombs and artillery shells if Israeli forces proceed with its planned offensive on the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
In a televised interview, Biden reiterated his administration's position, emphasizing that the United States would not provide weapons for an offensive on Rafah, which could result in a humanitarian crisis. This stance signals a potential shift in the relationship between the two close allies.
The decision comes after the U.S. paused the delivery of 3,500 munitions, including 2,000-pound bombs, amid concerns about civilian casualties in densely populated areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on a Rafah offensive, despite U.S. warnings, has strained relations between the two allies. The hold on weapons shipments underscores the growing tension over Israel's military actions and their humanitarian impact. (Related: Israel carpet bombs Rafah after Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal.)
While Israel's ambassador to the United Nations expressed disappointment with the U.S. decision, progressive Democrats supported Biden's move, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to U.S.-Israel relations.
Biden affirmed continued support for Israel's defense, particularly its Iron Dome system, but stressed that offensive weapons for a potential Rafah offensive would not be supplied. The decision reflects U.S. concerns about the humanitarian consequences of such an operation.
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The pause in arms shipments is not a one-off measure; additional deliveries may be delayed or face obstacles if the offensive proceeds. This signals a significant reevaluation of U.S. policy toward Israel's military actions. The U.S. move to withhold arms shipments also reflects broader concerns about Israel's conduct in the conflict and its adherence to humanitarian principles.
As talks resume in Cairo and Hamas proposes a revised ceasefire, the Biden administration remains engaged, seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis. However, the delay in arms shipments marks a departure from previous US support for Israel and underscores growing scrutiny of its military operations in Gaza.
Israeli forces have already entered Rafah
Israeli forces had recently entered eastern Rafah, a densely populated area, leading to concerns about civilian safety. The incursion, accompanied by airstrikes on the city, raised alarm internationally and drew scrutiny to the use of U.S.-supplied weaponry in the conflict.
Following the incursion, Israeli forces took control of Rafah's border crossing with Egypt, prompting warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe and the inability of Palestinians in the city to flee from the Israeli onslaught.
Biden has acknowledged that U.S.-made bombs have caused civilian casualties in Gaza, an admission that comes following a perceived shift in U.S. policy toward ensuring accountability for civilian harm.
The decision was prompted by reports of civilian casualties resulting from the use of U.S.-made bombs, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny of arms sales to conflict zones.
Thousands of bombs, including 2,000-pound and 500-pound munitions, were withheld due to their indiscriminate use in conflicts, particularly in densely populated areas like Rafah. This move signaled a commitment to preventing further civilian casualties and promoting accountability for human rights violations.
The development highlighted the complexity of navigating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of balancing security interests with humanitarian considerations. Biden's pledge to withhold certain weapons from Israel signaled a recognition of the need to address the root causes of conflict and promote accountability for human rights violations.
Overall, the temporary halt in arms shipments represented a significant step toward ensuring that U.S. weapons are not used to perpetrate violence against civilians and promoting a more responsible approach to arms sales in conflict zones.
Watch this video of a recent Israeli strike on Rafah that mostly harmed children.
This video is from the CreeperStatus channel on Brighteon.com.
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Israeli invasion of Rafah under way following evacuation order on 100,000 residents.
Netanyahu: Israel WILL INVADE Rafah with or without ceasefire and agreement to release hostages.
EVIL: Israel tricking Palestinian refugees into "safe zones" in Rafah, then bombing them to death.
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