U.S. President Joe Biden has warned it will halt weapons shipments to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders an invasion of Rafah — one of the last refuges for more than a million Palestinians in Gaza.

Washington

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

### Biden Warns U.S. Withholding Weapons if Israel Invades Rafah

U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a stark warning, stating that the U.S. will cease weapon shipments to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decides to invade Rafah. Rafah is presented as a critical refuge for over a million Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting the potential human impact of such a military action. This declaration was made during an interview with CNN, placing a new layer of diplomatic pressure on Israel amidst ongoing tensions.

In his comments, President Biden underscored the historical use of U.S. supplied weapons in the region, stating unequivocally that he will not support their use in an operation in Rafah by Israel, describing such an action as "wrong." This comes amid reports of Israel's military operations in the city, considered a Hamas stronghold, where both militants and a significant civilian population coexist.

As ceasefire negotiations face obstacles, Israel's military actions in Rafah are scrutinized globally. Despite claims of targeted operations in Rafah, on-the-ground reports, including those from a freelance videographer, indicate civilian casualties. Rayda al-Najili, a local witness, refuted the presence of militants in the attack areas, stressing the vulnerability of civilians.

The U.S.'s stance has been further affirmed by the withholding of a critical ammunition shipment to Israel, signaling a tangible measure taken against potential further military escalation. Though Israeli officials have responded with frustration privately, they have publicly minimized the significance of the U.S.'s action. This development underscores the complexities of the situation, with Israel maintaining a firm stance against Hamas amidst fluctuating ceasefire talks.

On a humanitarian note, the situation in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, remains dire. Nika Alexander, a Canadian working with the World Health Organization, reports on the palpable fear and desperation among the residents. The struggle for safety is compounded by restricted medical supplies and fuel, essentials for the survival of the civilian population.

As the conflict's dynamics evolve, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that spares civilian lives and leads to lasting peace in the region.



Biden warns U.S. withholding weapons if Israel invades Rafah

If they go into Rafa, they haven't gone in Rafa yet. If they go into Rafa, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafa. It's just wrong. Biden made those comments tonight during an interview with CNN. It comes after similar messages from top U.S. officials. A new level of pressure on Israel to avoid a full-scale invasion of Rafa. The city in southern Gaza is a Hamas stronghold that also shelters more than a million civilians. But as Chris Brown shows us, what Israel calls a pinpoint operation in the city continues while ceasefire talks have hit a wall. In the face of near-unanimous global opposition to a ground offensive into Rafa Israel's military pursued its attacks. Its officials say this is a calibrated, limited incursion aimed at exerting pressure on Hamas. But on the ground, these scenes shot by a freelance videographer working for CBC News suggest civilians are among the dead. In the whole area, there are only civilians. There are no militants, said Rayda al-Najili who witnessed the attack. For the first time, a senior U.S. official acknowledged publicly that the U.S. has withheld a shipment of ammunition to Israel to send a message not to go any further. Israel shouldn't launch a major attack into Rafa without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battle space. Privately, Israeli officials are said to be furious over the U.S. move but publicly, they've tried to downplay the significance of it. All of this comes against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Monday, the militant group said it accepted a ceasefire proposal but Israel said Hamas changed the terms of the agreement. In Gaza, there's fear the talks will fail again. We spoke to Canadian Nika Alexander who's in Rafa with the World Health Organization. As we drove through the streets yesterday and today, you could see people have piled up everything they own onto donkey carts, crammed into cars, many people together in a bus just trying to get to someplace that maybe will feel safer. But we do feel that nowhere is completely safe so that's really stressful. While aid trucks which had been unable to enter Gaza for several days began moving again, Alexander says the flow of medical supplies and fuel for generators has reduced to a trickle, adding to a sense of impending doom. You just can't imagine how many people might die if there's a great escalation in the fighting in this area. Hamas is demanding a guarantee that the war will end if it frees the hostages but Israel says it will only consider a temporary pause as many members of its coalition government are adamant that the fight against Hamas must continue. Chris Brown, CBC News, Jerusalem.

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Israel-Gaza War