President Biden confirms US will stop providing some weapons if Israel launches Rafah operation
(Baonghean.vn) - The US President noted that Israel has not yet crossed the red line in the conflict in the Gaza Strip because it has not yet started its campaign in Rafah.
TASS news agency reported on May 9 that US President Joe Biden told CNN that the US would stop providing some weapons to Israel if its forces entered the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
“I made it clear that if they go into Rafah — they haven’t gone into Rafah yet — if they go into Rafah, I will not provide weapons,” Mr. Biden asserted.
The US president said that the supply of some defensive weapons will continue.
“We will continue to ensure Israel is safe with regards to Iron Dome. We will not provide weapons and artillery,” Biden said.
The US president added that Israel had not crossed the red line in the Gaza conflict because it had not yet begun its operation in Rafah. “They have not entered population centers. What they are doing is right on the border,” he said.
“I made it clear to Mr. Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) and the war cabinet: They will not have our support if, in fact, they enter these population centers.”
CNN said Mr. Biden's announcement "marks a turning point" in the conflict in Gaza.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said earlier that Washington is reviewing some short-term military aid to Israel in connection with the situation around Rafah.
