Netanyahu dismisses US threat to stop weapons if Israel launches full Rafah assault
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed the country can “stand alone,” following the US warning that arms shipments will be stopped if Netanyahu orders a full-scale invasion of Rafah in Gaza.
Thousands of people have already fled the southern city of Rafah where more than 1 million civilians are sheltering. Many people who had to flee their homes and were told to head to Rafah are now being displaced again.
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On Monday, Israel began what it has called a “limited” military operation.
US President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned Israel about the operation in Rafah. But Netanyahu has dismissed the American warning and said his country can fight on without their support.
“If we need to … we will stand alone. I have said that if necessary we will fight with our fingernails”
PM Netanyahu
“If we need to … we will stand alone. I have said that if necessary we will fight with our fingernails,” the prime minister said.
As he dismissed the US warnings, Netanyahu invoked the War of 1948.
“In the War of Independence 76 years ago, we were the few against the many,” he said “We did not have weapons. There was an arms embargo on Israel, but with great strength of spirit, heroism and unity among us – we were victorious.”
Despite Netanyahu’s comments, his government has come under pressure after the US suspended the delivery of 1,800 2,000lb (907kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs over fears that they could cause civilian deaths in Rafah.
@trtworld “We will finish the job in Rafah” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Tel Aviv will extend its offensive in Rafah, Gaza, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians seek shelter, “while enabling the civilian population to get out of harm’s way”, in a video address to a conference of the pro-Israel AIPAC organisation in Washington, DC. #fyp