President Joe Biden announced that if Israel continues its ground offensive in Rafah, the United States will cut off the supply of weapons and bombs. This statement was made in an interview with CNN on Wednesday evening. Washington has emphasized the need for a credible plan to protect civilians in the southern Gaza Strip city and has informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of its position. Despite this, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes and stated its intention to continue “targeted” operations in Rafah.
The US has taken action by suspending an arms shipment due to concerns about the situation in Rafah and has indicated that other arms deliveries are under review. With approximately one and a half million Gazans in the city, the border crossing has been blocked by Israeli troops, preventing emergency aid from reaching the residents. President Biden expressed regret over the civilian casualties caused by American-supplied bombs in Gaza and reiterated that the US will halt arms supply if Israel enters Rafah.
While the language used by Biden is firm, CNN reports that Israel has not yet crossed a red line in terms of the offensive in Rafah. Biden clarified that the operations have taken place on the border and not in the city’s population centers. The US remains opposed to military operations in populated areas and will not provide weapons that are used against cities. Biden emphasized that the US will continue to support Israel’s security through means such as air defenses like the Iron Dome, but will not supply weapons for urban attacks.