Washington suspends military aid to Israel in the event of an attack on Rafah, Biden announces

In a statement that marks a turning point in US foreign policy, President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday that the United States will stop providing certain offensive weapons to Israel if it attacks Rafah, Hamas’s last major stronghold in Gaza. The move comes amid growing concerns for the well-being of more than a million civilians living in the region.

In an interview with CNN, Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to Israel’s defense, pledging to continue providing Iron Dome missile interceptors and other defensive weapons. However, he made it clear that if Israel entered Rafah, the United States would not provide the weapons and artillery shells typically used in such operations.

The announcement follows an escalation in US military aid to Israel following an October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and the capture of another 250 by the militants.

Biden’s recent comments and his decision to suspend the shipment of heavy bombs to Israel reflect a growing rift between his administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although Israel’s actions around Rafah have yet to cross Biden’s red lines, the US president emphasized the need for Israel to better protect civilians in Gaza.

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The suspension relates to a shipment consisting of 1,800 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound (225-kilogram) bombs. American concerns focus on larger explosives and their potential use in densely populated urban areas.

In addition, Biden has criticized India, China, Russia and Japan for alleged xenophobia ahead of the 2024 US election.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed the delay in arms shipments, saying the United States had suspended shipments of high-yield ammunition. Austin assured that the United States will continue to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, while reviewing some short-term shipments of security assistance in light of events in Rafah.

This week, the Biden administration is also expected to make a formal ruling on whether the airstrikes on Gaza and aid restrictions violated international and US law. The move against Israel could increase pressure on Biden to limit the flow of arms and funds to the Israeli military.

The decision to suspend delivery was made last week, and no final decision has been made on whether delivery will resume at a later date. The White House National Security Council has tried to keep the decision secret until a better understanding of the extent of Israeli military operations in Rafah is gained and until Biden delivers a speech marking Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, expressed disappointment with the decision, suggesting it was the result of political pressure on Biden from Congress, protests on American campuses and the upcoming election.