Israel ready to fight without US military aid
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Israel is ready to independently wage war in the Gaza Strip even without military assistance from the US. However, there is a high probability of overcoming differences between the countries, states Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During a conversation with American talk show host Phil McGraw, known as Dr. Phil, the head of the government noted that problems with the supply of weapons from Western allies are forcing Tel Aviv and the IDF to act alone.
"If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone, fight tooth and nail," he said.
Later, Netanyahu adopted a more conciliatory tone, stating that the delay in sending weapons was a mistake, but expressed hope that two publicly odds leaders will find a way to mend their relationship.
"I’ve known Joe Biden for many years, 40 years and more. We often had agreements, but we’ve had our disagreements and we’ve been able to overcome them. I hope we can overcome them now," said the Israeli prime minister.
He added that Tel Aviv will do everything possible to evacuate over a million civilians from Rafah before the Israeli army's military operation.
The agency also reported that American officials initially planned to inform the Israeli government of the suspension of bomb shipments privately to increase pressure on Netanyahu - but did not do so unless there was a massive incursion into the urban areas of Rafah. However, this plan was thwarted when Israeli officials let information leak, say people familiar with the situation.
On Wednesday, May 8, the US National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, reiterated that the administration had suspended but not canceled bomb shipments. "The arguments that somehow we’re walking away from Israel flies in the face of the facts," he said.
On Thursday, the US made more conciliatory statements. There were also signs that the White House did not seek open confrontation with Netanyahu.
US suspends weapon transfers to Israel
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are planning a military operation in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, near the border with Egypt. Tel Aviv believes that terrorists from Hamas are hiding in the town under the guise of civilians.
Rafah is home to about 1.5 million refugees who have moved there from other areas of the Gaza Strip due to extensive shelling as part of Israel's military operation against the Islamic movement militants.
On May 7, the IDF already took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
Against the backdrop of a likely Israeli advance, on May 8, the US suspended the shipment of about 3,500 bombs to Israel, which could be used in the urban areas of Rafah and lead to civilian casualties.
Biden threatened to suspend some arms shipments to Israel if Netanyahu ordered the operation in Rafah to begin.
