Jake Sullivan: Biden’s commitment to Israel’s defense is unwavering

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan assured on Sunday that despite President Joe Biden’s warning of withholding offensive weapons from Israel, he will ensure that the Jewish state has the necessary resources to defend itself. Sullivan shared this during an interview with ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”.

Stressing Biden’s unwavering support for Israel, Sullivan stated, “Nobody has been a stronger supporter of Israel than Joe Biden. He has provided significant capabilities for Israel to combat Hamas. Additionally, the president has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Israel’s self-defense, unequivocally and fully.”

However, Sullivan expressed concerns about a potential large-scale military invasion of Rafah, pointing out the high density of civilians in the area due to displacement caused by military operations in other parts of Gaza.

Regarding the effectiveness of such an operation, Sullivan mentioned the difficulty of targeting Hamas militants, who operate as terrorists rather than conventional military forces. He emphasized Biden’s reluctance to see American weapons involved in operations that may result in devastating civilian casualties without substantial gains against Hamas.

The White House national security adviser clarified that Biden’s focus is on preventing operations that could cause harm without effectively addressing the root issues.