President Joe Biden made it clear on Wednesday that if Israel launches a major offensive against Rafah, a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, the United States will stop supplying them with artillery shells and other weapons. In response to the suspension of a recent bomb shipment, Biden expressed concern about civilian casualties in Gaza and emphasized that they will not provide weapons that have been used in the offensive.
This interview marked Biden’s strongest public stance on a potential Israeli military operation, following the decision to halt a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel last week. The United States government took this action despite warnings to Israel from both public and private channels. The decision to withhold the weapon shipment was a way for President Biden to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s militaristic approach.
The US government confirmed on Wednesday that it has paused a shipment of weapons to Israel while reevaluating the situation in Rafah. This move was seen as an effort to protect civilians and prevent major fighting in the area. The Pentagon revealed that they are reviewing the content of the halted shipment, which is believed to contain high-caliber ammunition including bombs of different sizes.
Reactions to the decision to pause arms shipments varied, with some Democratic lawmakers applauding the move while Republican senators criticized it. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell questioned Biden’s commitment to Israel’s security in the wake of the decision. The White House reiterated its unwavering support for Israel’s security, despite the temporary halt in arms shipments.
While the State Department missed a deadline to release a report on Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law in Gaza, the decision to pause arms shipments was considered a significant step in influencing Israeli military actions. The debate over arms sales to Israel and the implications for regional security and human rights continues to be a contentious issue in US foreign policy.