Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is capable of “standing alone”, following a warning from the US that it might cease arms supplies if Israel initiates a full-scale invasion of Rafah in Gaza.
“We will stand alone if we have to… we will fight tooth and nail,” he asserted.
US President Joe Biden has threatened to withhold certain arms, including artillery shells, if an invasion of Rafah occurs. The US has already suspended a bomb shipment due to concerns over civilian casualties.
However, Netanyahu dismissed these warnings from the US, Israel’s closest ally, by recalling the War of Independence in 1948.
“We were outnumbered in the War of Independence 76 years ago. We lacked weapons due to an arms embargo on Israel, but we emerged victorious through our indomitable spirit, heroism, and unity,” he reminisced.
He further stated that Israel possesses “far more than just our determination” if Biden halts arms shipments. “With that indomitable spirit and with God’s help, we will triumph together,” he affirmed.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, added that both Israel’s “enemies and… closest allies” should understand that Israel “cannot be subdued. We will remain resilient, we will accomplish our objectives.”
These statements were made shortly after the UN reported that over 80,000 people had fled Rafah since Monday due to continuous bombardment and the presence of Israeli tanks near populated areas.
The UN also cautioned that food and fuel supplies for the over one million people still taking refuge in the city are dwindling, as aid is not reaching them through nearby crossings.
Israeli forces have taken control and closed the Rafah crossing with Egypt at the start of their operation, while the UN stated that it was too perilous for its staff and trucks to reach the recently reopened Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel.
Israeli forces are reportedly conducting “targeted raids” against remaining Hamas elements in the city. However, the Israeli government has not dismissed the possibility of a full-scale invasion, leading to Biden’s warning that he would not provide the munitions for such an operation.
On Wednesday, Biden told CNN that American bombs had been used to kill Palestinian civilians. “If they invade Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have historically been used to deal with Rafah,” he stated.
White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said Biden did not believe that “storming into Rafah” would further Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas.
“Israel’s enduring defeat of Hamas remains a shared goal,” Kirby said. “The notion that we’re abandoning Israel or unwilling to assist them in defeating Hamas simply doesn’t align with the facts,” he added.
