Biden issues Rafah ultimatum to Israel — RT World News
West Jerusalem would be deprived of US “offensive” weapons if it launched a full-scale invasion
President Joe Biden has acknowledged that at least some Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been killed by US-made bombs — and pledged to halt the supply of any weapons that Israel could actively use in another major military operation in the southern city of Rafah.
American leader comments This comes after Israeli tanks and forces entered the eastern areas of Rafah on Monday evening, and took control of the main border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This was accompanied by air strikes on the densely populated city.
However, Biden believes that Israel has not yet crossed the red line set by Washington.
“They did not reach the population centers. What they did was right on the border.” Biden told CNN's Erin Burnett in an interview on Wednesday.
“I made it clear that if they go to Rafah – they haven't gone to Rafah yet – if they go to Rafah, I will not provide them with the weapons that have historically been used to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities – which are dealing with this problem.” Biden added.
“We will not supply weapons and artillery shells.” The US President insisted on this, reiterating Washington's commitment to defending Israel. He added: “We will continue to ensure Israel's security regarding Iron Dome and its ability to respond to recent attacks from the Middle East.”
The United States already halted an arms shipment to Israel last week over concerns about the looming ground operation in West Jerusalem's Rafah, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. However, Washington has not yet decided the final fate of the weapon.
The stalled delivery reportedly includes thousands of American-made 2,000- and 500-pound bombs that Israel has used indiscriminately in its war with Hamas.
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a result of these bombs and other ways they target population centres.” Biden admitted.
Halting arms supplies would mark the first known example of the United States withholding arms deliveries to the Jewish state since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and a retaliatory attack in West Jerusalem, according to the Financial Times.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan called for a halt “Very disappointing,” But he told Channel 12 News that he did not believe the United States would actually stop supplying weapons to Israel.
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