Israel’s Netanyahu Vows to ‘Stand Alone’ Amid US Arms Withhold

Emmanuel EjioforMay 10, 20241 Mins read193

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared on Thursday that Israel is prepared to “stand alone” in its conflict with Hamas.

This comes after United States President Joe Biden’s announcement that the U.S. would withhold offensive weapons needed for Israel’s planned assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.

Rafah is considered Hamas’ stronghold and is densely populated with over a million Palestinian civilians.

“If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone,” said Netanyahu. “If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.”

Netanyahu’s statement came as tensions between Israel and its primary ally, the United States, appear to be worsening. These tensions have been fueled by seven months of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S. decision marks a significant moment in the long-standing alliance, with Biden citing concerns over the potential for large-scale civilian casualties in Rafah, with over one million civilians based there.

Despite this, a spokesman for the Israeli army, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that Israel possesses sufficient ammunition for its military operations, including the ongoing situation in Rafah.

Hagari further averred that while the relationship with the U.S. remains strong, disagreements should be managed privately. He also appreciated the continuous American support.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with severe disruptions to aid deliveries due to military actions. The United Nations has reported extreme food shortages, with northern Gaza experiencing famine conditions. The recent Israeli control over the Rafah crossing with Egypt complicates aid efforts further, despite ongoing international negotiations to alleviate the crisis.

President Biden’s recent stance on Israel’s conflict with Hamas represents a significant moment of contention between the U.S. and Israel. This is a reflection of the growing international concern over the humanitarian casualties of the war. The international community will be watching to see how this misunderstanding between the two longstanding allies pans out.