Netanyahu Asserts Israel’s Self-Reliance Amid Biden’s Weapon Delivery Delay Threat
‘If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons,’ President Biden stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that his country would fight independently with determination if necessary after President Joe Biden indicated a halt in supplying Israeli forces with specific weapons if they target densely populated areas in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Mr. Netanyahu’s objective in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is to eradicate the Hamas terrorist group, identifying Rafah as one of the group’s key stronghold areas. However, President Biden has raised concerns about the potential harm to Gazan civilians who have sought refuge in the city during the last seven months of conflict.
“A small-diameter bomb, which is a precision weapon suitable for built-up environments, can be very effective,” Mr. Austin explained. “But a 2,000-pound bomb may cause excessive collateral damage.”
‘If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons,’ President Biden reiterated.
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“If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone. If needed, we will fiercely battle,” Mr. Netanyahu affirmed. “But we are equipped beyond nails.”
‘We Have What We Need’ For Rafah Operation: IDF Spokesman
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adml. Daniel Hagari assured during a Thursday press briefing that Israeli forces possess the required weapons and equipment to carry out their plans for Rafah.
“The army has the necessary munitions for planned missions, including those in Rafah—we are adequately equipped,” the IDF spokesman informed the press.
Rear Adml. Hagari suggested that when disputes arise between Israeli and U.S. leaders, they should be resolved in private.
Weapons Delay Sends ‘Discordant Message’: Jewish American Organization
Speaking on “NTD Good Morning” on Thursday, Democratic political strategist and former New York State senator David Carlucci expressed that pausing deliveries of specific high-payload weapons, like 2,000-pound bombs, was a prudent step on the part of the Biden administration to exercise due diligence.
However, the Jewish Policy Forum—an organization of Jewish Americans offering policy recommendations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—opined that even if 2,000-pound bombs were unnecessary, the pause in deliveries sends mixed signals about U.S. support for Israel.
The Biden administration has sought to balance its military support for Israel with efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza and advance ceasefire negotiations in the conflict.
The Netanyahu government has offered a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. However, Hamas has demanded a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza without meeting Mr. Netanyahu’s objective of eradicating them completely.
