Biden: No Weapons for Israel if They Invade Rafah
President Biden Halts Weapon Sales to Israel Amid Threat of Invasion in Gaza
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the United States would cease providing offensive weaponry to Israel if the country proceeds with its planned invasion of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. This declaration marks a significant shift in U.S.-Israel relations, indicating a willingness to impose conditions on aid to Israel for the first time and signaling a break with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In an interview with CNN, Biden expressed concern over the civilian casualties resulting from Israeli bombings in Gaza. He acknowledged the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians during the conflict that erupted after Hamas carried out attacks on Israeli citizens. Biden stated, “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah ― they haven’t gone in Rafah yet ― if they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities.”
Despite being a longstanding supporter of Israel, Biden has faced mounting pressure from within his own party to place restrictions on military aid to the country, accused of committing war crimes and facing allegations of potential genocide in its operations in Gaza. The President emphasized that the U.S. would uphold its commitment to ensure Israel’s defense, particularly in light of recent attacks originating from the Middle East.
Although the U.S. will continue to provide defensive support, including assistance with the Iron Dome system, Biden clarified that offensive weapons and artillery shells would not be supplied for potential military actions in Rafah. Concerns have been raised about the humanitarian impact of a full-scale Israeli invasion of the city, with fears of significant civilian casualties.
Biden reiterated his stance to Netanyahu and the Israeli government, emphasizing that U.S. support would be withheld if operations targeting population centers were carried out. The decision to delay weapon shipments to Israel was first reported over the weekend and confirmed by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during a congressional hearing.
The suspended transfers include 2,000-pound and 500-pound explosives, indicating a tangible response to the escalating situation in Gaza. As tensions mount in the region, the U.S. administration’s decision underscores a new approach to handling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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