President Joe Biden publicly warned Israel for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplying weapons if Israeli forces make a major invasion of Rafah, a refugee-packed city in southern Gaza. Biden also acknowledged that American bombs provided to Israel have killed civilians in Gaza.

Washington

U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a public warning that the United States will halt its weapon supply to Israel if the latter proceeds with a major invasion of Rafah in Gaza. This statement marks the first time President Biden has made such a declaration, highlighting the potential for a shift in the U.S. stance towards its key ally in the Middle East. Rafah is described as a city filled with refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has been the scene of a seven-month offensive by Israel in response to an attack by Hamas.

In a recent interview with CNN, President Biden stated unequivocally that the U.S. will stop the supply of weapons to Israel if its forces invade Rafah. He mentioned, "I made it clear that if they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons." The president also acknowledged the civilian casualties caused by American bombs used by Israel in Gaza, describing the situation as "wrong" and stating, "we're not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells."

This announcement follows a decision to temporarily pause a planned delivery of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel, a move confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the Senate. President Biden's decision came amid concerns for the well-being of civilians in Rafah and signals the first such delay in weapon supply since the U.S. pledged "ironclad support" to Israel. The U.S. is Israel's largest supplier of weapons, with Congress recently approving an additional $26 billion in funding.

Despite these measures, President Biden affirmed that the U.S. would continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel, including support for the Iron Dome anti-missile system. The president's comments reflect growing pressure domestically over the U.S.'s support for Israel, particularly as he campaigns for re-election.

Israeli authorities have argued that striking Rafah is necessary due to the presence of thousands of Hamas fighters. This has led to continuing Israeli tank and aerial strikes on southern Gaza, further escalating the situation. There has been no immediate comment from Israel regarding President Biden's remarks.



Biden vows to deny Israel weapons if Rafah attacked

U.S. President Joe Biden publicly vowed for the first time on Wednesday to stop giving Israel weapons if its forces make a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a city packed with refugees fleeing the war elsewhere in Gaza. In an interview with CNN, Biden said, quote, I made it clear that if they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons. He acknowledged in the interview that American bombs provided to Israel have killed civilians in the seven-month-old offensive in Gaza, which came in response to Hamas's attack on October the 7th. The comments are the president's strongest public language to date and underscore growing rift between the U.S. and its closest Middle Eastern ally. The interview was aired hours after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed to the Senate that the U.S. had at least temporarily paused a planned delivery of thousands of heavy bombs and that Biden made the decision to hold on the weapons over concerns for Rafah. That marks the first such delay since the U.S. administration pledged ironclad support to Israel. You have to protect the people, the civilians in the battle space, otherwise you create more terrorists going forward. The United States is by far Israel's biggest supplier of weapons, with Congress last month approving $26 billion in extra funding for the country. Biden said the U.S. would continue to provide defensive weapons, including for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system. But referring to civilian casualties, he added, it's just wrong, we're not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells. The president is under growing pressure at home over American support for Israel as he runs for re-election this year. There was no immediate comment from Israel on Biden's remarks, but Israeli authorities have insisted Rafah must be hit, saying thousands of Hamas fighters are there. Its forces have continued tank and aerial strikes on southern Gaza after moving in on Tuesday via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which cut off a vital aid route.

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