The tension between the U.S. and Israel reached a boiling point as President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to Israel regarding its planned offensive into the Gaza city of Rafah. Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog expressed his dismay at the U.S. decision to withhold some weapons from Israel, calling it “unacceptable” that the information became public while discussions were ongoing.
Biden’s warning, delivered in a CNN interview, marked a significant shift in the relationship between the two allies, highlighting a growing rift. The U.S. expressed concerns about the potential devastation on Palestinian civilians in Rafah if Israeli forces were to launch a major offensive without a clear plan to protect the population.
Despite the delay of one shipment of bombs and a review of others, billions of dollars worth of U.S. weaponry remain in the pipeline for Israel. Herzog emphasized that Israeli officials had been in talks with U.S. officials for weeks and had presented plans for the operation in Rafah, emphasizing that their actions were conditions-based, not time-based.
The Israeli assault in Gaza, triggered by an onslaught by Hamas fighters, has resulted in significant casualties among Palestinian civilians. Herzog stressed the importance of addressing the threat posed by Hamas in Rafah to achieve the goal of defeating the militant group.
The decision to withhold weapons from Israel has put the country in a difficult position, as it grapples with the challenge of dealing with Hamas fighters in Rafah. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of the conflict in Gaza.