The Hindu (Thiruvananthapuram)
U.S. won’t supply weapons to Israel if it launches attack on Rafah: Biden
Over concern for the well-being of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering in Rafah, President Joe Biden says he will not supply o…ensive weapons to Israel; the shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 900-kg bombs and 1,700 225-kg bombs
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he would not supply o ensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah — the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza — over concern for the wellbeing of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there.
Mr. Biden, in an interview with CNN, said the U.S. was still committed to Israel’s defence and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms, but that if Israel goes into Rafah, “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used”.
The U.S. has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid to Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants.
Mr. Biden’s comments and his decision last week to pause a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel are the most striking manifestations of the growing daylight between his administration and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Mr.
Biden said on Wednesday that Israel’s actions around Rafah had “not yet” crossed his red lines, but has repeated that Israel needs to do far more to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza.
The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 900-kg bombs and 1,700 225-kg bombs, according to a senior U.S. administration ocial who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. The focus of U.S. concern was the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban area.
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centres,” Mr. Biden said.
“We’re not walking away from Israel’s security,” Mr. Biden continued. “We’re walking away from Israel’s ability to wage war in those areas.”
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier on Wednesday conrmed the weapons delay, telling the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence that the U.S. paused “one shipment of high payload munitions”.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military spokesperson said the Army has the weapons it needs for its o ensive in Rafah. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said relations with the U.S. remain close, and that disagreements should be resolved behind closed doors.