Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel can “stand alone” following a warning by the United States suggesting it could halt arms shipments if Israel goes ahead with an invasion of Rafah in Gaza.
“If we need to, we will stand alone. I have said that, if necessary, we will fight with our fingernails,” Netanyahu declared.
US President Joe Biden hinted at withholding certain arms, like artillery shells, if an invasion of Rafah were to occur. The US had already halted a bomb shipment due to concerns about civilian casualties.
Biden said that American bombs have been used to kill hapless Palestinian civilians. He said, “If they go to Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah.”
In response to Biden’s remarks, Netanyahu reminisced about Israel’s history and its War of Independence in 1948, underscoring Israel’s past victories against the odds. “In the War of Independence 76 years ago, we were the few against the many. We did not have weapons. There was an arms embargo on Israel, but with great strength of spirit, we were victorious,” he stated.
The statements came as Israel intensify its campaign in Gaza. More than 80,000 people have fled Rafah in the midst of a bombing onslaught. Water, food and fuel shortages were reported among those sheltering in the city.
