Joe Biden threatens to cut off US weapon supplies to Israel if it invades Rafah

President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that the US would withhold the supply of offensive weapons if Israel proceeded with a full invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. This warning came after Washington had already paused a shipment of munitions heading to Israel due to concerns over its operations in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have been seeking shelter.

Biden’s comments, made during an interview with CNN while on a trip to Wisconsin, marked his strongest stance yet on Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The US has been urging Israel to seek a ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza, rather than launching a full-scale assault on Rafah.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the pause in arms supplies, stating that Washington was reviewing security assistance shipments in light of the unfolding events in Rafah. Israel had sent ground troops into Rafah, seizing the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and threatening to expand its operation in what it considers Hamas’s last stronghold.

The decision to withhold the arms shipment came after discussions between the US and Israel failed to address Washington’s concerns about meeting the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah. The use of some of the most destructive US-supplied bombs in Israel’s arsenal has raised international scrutiny, particularly in densely populated areas where civilian casualties are a risk.

The Biden administration’s move to withhold weapons marks a significant shift in US policy towards Israel’s military operations, signaling a willingness to hold back support in response to actions deemed detrimental to civilian populations. The situation in Rafah remains tense, with the US closely monitoring developments and taking steps to ensure the protection of civilians in the conflict zone.