US will halt supplies of certain weapons if Israel launches a major ground operation

 

President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that the US will halt supplies of certain weapons if Israel launches a major ground operation in the Gaza city of Rafah. In an interview with CNN, Biden emphasized that while he will continue to ensure Israel's security, he will not provide weapons that could lead to extensive civilian casualties in Rafah.

Biden's comments mark his strongest warning yet to Israel, and come amid mounting domestic pressure from Democrats and the US public to rein in Israeli operations in Gaza. The US has already delayed a shipment of thousands of bombs to Israel and is reviewing future deliveries.

Rafah, a congested part of southern Gaza, is Hamas's last major stronghold in the territory. US officials have warned that an operation in the city could lead to significant civilian casualties, as the population has swelled with refugees from other parts of Gaza.

Israel appears poised to mount a large-scale invasion of Rafah, despite firm US opposition. The Israeli military has ordered tens of thousands of civilians to evacuate eastern parts of the city, ahead of what it calls a "limited" operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure.

Biden acknowledged that US weapons have been used by Israel to kill civilians in Gaza, but said that Israel has not yet crossed a "red line". He emphasized that the US will not supply weapons and artillery shells if Israel goes into population centers.

The US has already delayed a shipment of bombs to Israel, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the delay while testifying in front of the Senate. The weapons being held back are related to a future delivery, but the move is likely to affect future strikes soon, given the rate at which Israel is bombing.

Israeli officials have expressed disappointment at Biden's intervention, with Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan saying that Israel is "very disappointed" by the president's statement. However, the Israeli military has said that disputes between the allies will be resolved "behind closed doors in a matter-of-fact way".

Efforts continue to reach a ceasefire, alongside the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. In Cairo, delegations from Israel and Hamas have resumed negotiations through mediators. A US official said that talks with Israel are "ongoing and have not fully addressed our concerns", and the US has been reviewing its weapons transfers to Israel since April.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 34,780 people killed in Gaza since October, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. A deal agreed in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in return for a week-long ceasefire and some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel says 128 hostages are unaccounted for, 36 of whom are presumed dead.