The US President Joe Biden has announced that if Israel continues its ground offensive in Rafah, the United States will suspend the supply of weapons and bombs. This decision comes after concerns about the situation in Rafah led to the suspension of arms shipments by the US.
The southern city of Gaza Strip is home to approximately one and a half million Gazans, and Israeli soldiers block access to emergency services at the border crossing. Despite warnings from the US to include a credible plan to protect civilians, Israeli military continued its airstrikes and targeted operations in Rafah.
Biden has reiterated his position during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that using American weapons in Gaza is not acceptable as it results in civilian casualties. However, he made it clear that Israel had not yet crossed a red line by entering the Rafah population centers, but if it did, arms shipments would be cut off.
The US remains opposed to operations in civilian areas and will continue to support Israel’s defense systems, such as the Iron Dome. Weapons and artillery targeting cities will not be delivered. Biden emphasized that ensuring the security of Israel does not require the use of weapons against the civilian population, and he stands firmly against attacks on cities and will not tolerate actions that result in civilian casualties.