U.S. President Joe Biden has publicly vowed to withhold weapons from Israel if its forces launch a major invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza.
This declaration comes amidst ongoing negotiations in Cairo aimed at establishing a ceasefire plan for the besieged enclave.
Biden’s stance underscores his administration’s repeated calls for Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians in Rafah, acknowledging the devastating impact of U.S.-supplied bombs on Gaza’s civilian population during the seven-month offensive against Hamas.
Biden’s comments represent his strongest position yet on the issue, increasing pressure on Israel to refrain from a full-scale assault on Rafah, where thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from the conflict.
Despite this pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the operation in Rafah will proceed, citing the presence of Hamas fighters in the area.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its military strikes on southern Gaza following its incursion via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, effectively cutting off vital aid routes.
Biden faces mounting criticism from within his own party and growing campus protests urging him to deter Israel from escalating the situation in Rafah.
The political ramifications of Biden’s support for Israel amid the crisis have become a concern as he prepares for reelection.
The United States remains the largest supplier of weapons to Israel, but Biden’s administration has paused the delivery of a shipment of bombs due to concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza.
However, Israeli officials express disappointment over this decision but remain confident in continued U.S. support.
Ceasefire negotiations in Cairo have hit obstacles, with Hamas refusing to make further concessions to Israel.
The potential for a humanitarian catastrophe looms large as Gaza faces acute shortages of fuel, aid, food, water, and medicine. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the region remains on edge as the conflict persists.
