An Israeli military vehicle near the Israel-Gaza border on Wednesday as the United States suspended ammunition shipments. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israel has questioned the US commitment to the war against Hamas after the Pentagon admitted it had suspended the supply of weapons that could have been used in Rafah.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan criticized US President Joe Biden and said the decision to suspend the supply of “heavy-capacity ammunition” to Israel was “very disappointing.”
On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed reports of a delivery of 2,000 pounds of ammunition. the bombings were stopped «in the context of the unfolding events in Rafah.»
Other arms shipments to Israel are also under review, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
The Biden administration hopes its decision to halt ammunition shipments will force Israel to reconsider its planned ground incursion at Rafah in southern Gaza.
Israeli officials, however, reacted furiously to the decision, questioning repeated US claims of an iron-clad commitment to the country's security.
Mr. Erdan told Israel's Channel 12 news that Mr. Biden «cannot say that he is our partner in the goal of destroying Hamas while simultaneously withholding funds intended to destroy Hamas.»
This comes after Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against invading Rafah in a telephone conversation on Monday.
A In recent weeks, between the two leaders were split as Washington pushed for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after seven months of conflict and the deaths of more than 35,000 Palestinians.
U.S. officials have called on Netanyahu to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas in exchange for hostages during ongoing talks in Cairo.
On Wednesday, Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee that no final decision had been made. No. decisions were made on heavy-duty munitions, but confirmed that the Pentagon was concerned about their use in Rafah.
“We have made it very clear… that Israel should not launch a major attack on Rafah without regard for or protection of civilians in that battle space,” he said.
“Again, when we assessed the situation , we have suspended the delivery of one shipment of heavy-duty munitions.»
Republicans immediately called on Biden to reverse the decision, arguing it would harm Israel's ability to destroy the remaining Hamas. According to him, the battalions are taking refuge in Rafah.
Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on the US president to abandon his “politically motivated grip.”
“American support for Israel cannot be questioned, especially now,” she said.
Lindsey Graham, the senior Republican senator, added: “This is obscene. This is absurd. Give Israel what they need.»
Mr. Biden was also criticized by John Fetterman, a Democratic senator who has become one of Israel's biggest supporters in Congress.
“I strongly disagree with this decision and it should be reversed immediately,” said He. “If there are any limits, it should be on Hamas and its collaborators and benefactors.”
It was reported that Israel's military cabinet last week voted against Mr. Netanyahu's proposal for a full-scale invasion. . Rafah, fearing that this would harm negotiations with Hamas.
Everyone present at Thursday's government meeting, including members of the military cabinet and other officials, voted against the proposal because it was seen that Hamas was close to a hostage deal.
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Such a deal in was ultimately proposed by Hamas on Monday but then rejected by Israel, which said its terms were “unacceptable.” By Monday, the military cabinet had also voted unanimously to continue with the planned invasion of Rafah.
Israeli officials made clear Wednesday that they do not have much hope for the ongoing talks in Cairo, although a white House spokesman told reporters that Israel and Hamas are close enough to an agreement that they should be able to resolve differences.
< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1e45f9cef8b5fedf88c94349def19b7e.jpg" />Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt a Senate Appropriations Committee defense subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. Photo: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
A senior Israeli official said on Wednesday that «significant efforts» were being made, according to the Walla news site. to close the gaps, although the Hamas proposal «crosses all red lines» for Israel.
The deal proposal Hamas agreed to on Monday calls for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, something Mr. Netanyahu has already ruled out. .
The IDF carried out targeted raids around the Rafah crossing on Wednesday after launching a «limited» military operation that US and Israeli officials said fell short of a full invasion.
Israel's defense minister, meanwhile, warned of «hot» military operation. summer» on the Lebanese border as Israel launched heavy airstrikes there and Hezbollah said it launched explosive drones and missiles at Israeli targets.
Evacuation orders in eastern Rafah have already forced about 10,000 Palestinians to flee the area, according to a spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. She said about 200 people were leaving Rafah every hour.
However, on Wednesday Israel reopened one of the two main crossing points for aid destined for the Gaza Strip after the UN raised the alarm about critically low levels supplies.
Displaced Palestinians inspect their destroyed homes after fleeing Rafah Photo: Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, warned that hospitals in southern Gaza had just three days' worth of fuel left to keep them running.
However, an Israeli official suggested the UN was to blame for not having reserves. aid when Israel was forced to close the Kerem Shalom crossing after the deadly shelling on Sunday.
The UN should be asked why there is no «surplus» aid in Gaza as trucks enter the enclave «day in and all day» «, said Avi Hyman.
Western countries and aid organizations have been trying for months to increase humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza, especially to the hardest-hit north of the enclave, where a months-long lack of supplies has led to catastrophic levels of hunger.
The US responded by building a “dock” to deliver aid. to Gaza directly from the Mediterranean.
A Pentagon spokesman said construction of the pier has already been completed and it will be installed on the coastline as soon as possible.
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