In a recent statement, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan clarified that President Biden’s decision to withhold offensive weapons from Israel should not be interpreted as a sign of abandonment. Sullivan emphasized that the United States remains committed to its longstanding partnership with Israel.
During an interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Sullivan emphasized the potential for “significant” civilian casualties in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This warning follows President Biden’s recent threat to withhold offensive weapons from Israel if it were to initiate a full-scale invasion of the city.
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In an interview released on Sunday, Sullivan explained the reasons behind the reluctance to invade Gaza. He emphasized the significant risk of civilian casualties due to the dense population of approximately one million people who have been forced into close quarters as a result of military operations and other factors. Sullivan also pointed out the challenges in targeting Hamas militants, who are not organized fighters but rather terrorists, as they could easily blend into the civilian population.
According to the source, the statement made by the individual suggests that President Biden does not support the use of American weapons in a specific operation. However, this does not imply that he intends to abandon or cut off Israel from receiving weapons. The focus of his concern lies in an operation that he believes will not effectively defeat Hamas and may result in significant harm.
Some Republicans and Israeli leaders are pushing back against Biden’s warning about Rafah, arguing that entering the city is crucial to eliminate Hamas forces present there.
The White House has been advising Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a large-scale invasion while the city is providing shelter to over a million civilians.
Israel issued new evacuation orders in the southern city over the weekend.
Biden has been expressing growing concern over Israel’s military operation and has been urging Netanyahu and other Israeli officials to exercise greater caution in order to minimize civilian casualties.
Over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict erupted in early October. It all started when Hamas forces initiated a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals.
Joe Biden has been an unwavering advocate for Israel, demonstrating his unwavering support. According to Sullivan, Biden has provided significant resources to Israel, enabling them to effectively combat Hamas. Additionally, the President has made it abundantly clear that he will continue to ensure that Israel has the necessary means to defend itself. This commitment is resolute and unwavering.
Furthermore, the president has expressed his reservations regarding a complete military invasion of Rafah. This is particularly concerning considering that there are over a million people taking refuge in this area with no alternative shelter options available.
During an interview with NBC News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his concerns about the lack of “credible plans” from Israel regarding the prevention of civilian deaths in Rafah.
Blinken pointed out that there is currently no clear plan for what will happen after the war in Gaza concludes. He emphasized that even if Israel takes decisive action in Rafah, there will still be a significant number of armed Hamas members remaining.
