Biden affirms U.S. will not provide offensive weapons in the event of an Israeli invasion of Rafah

President Joe Biden made a significant announcement on Wednesday, stating that the U.S. would withhold certain weapons and artillery shells from Israel if its military were to invade Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where over 1 million people are seeking shelter.

In an interview on CNN, Biden emphasized that the U.S. would not provide the weapons historically used in dealing with cities like Rafah if Israel were to launch a ground offensive there. This decision marks a shift in U.S. policy towards the conflict, although Biden assured that support for Israel’s security, particularly through the Iron Dome defense system, would continue.

The President also criticized Israel’s use of 2,000-pound bombs, which his administration recently halted in a planned shipment, citing civilian casualties in Gaza as a result of such weapons. The White House reportedly stopped a shipment that included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

Israel expressed frustration over the U.S. decision, with officials calling it disappointing and frustrating. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel’s military would enter Rafah with or without a deal with Hamas, demanding that the city be walled off from any cease-fire agreement.

Biden has reiterated his opposition to the potential offensive in Rafah during conversations with Netanyahu and highlighted efforts with Arab states to rebuild Gaza and work towards a two-state solution. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining security and peace in the region while establishing a non-corrupt Palestinian Authority.

Overall, Biden’s stance on withholding certain weapons from Israel in the event of an invasion in Rafah underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the ongoing conflict in the region.