Iran Press/ West Asia: Israeli officials have struck a defiant tone after US President Joe Biden warned that the United States would not provide weapons for a full-scale ground assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are hemmed in with no safe way to leave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks on Thursday that Israel, which is heavily reliant on US weapons shipments, would “fight with our fingernails” if necessary.
The US has consistently provided Israel with military support throughout the campaign in the Gaza Strip, defying growing international and domestic pressure and sidelining concerns over alleged violations of international law by Israeli forces.
Biden, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, said the US was still committed to Israel’s defense and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms but, if Israeli forces invade Rafah, “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US would pause a shipment of heavy bombs.
The statements appeared to suggest a widening rift between the Biden administration and Netanyahu’s government.
The usurping Zionist regime has been continuously bombarding the eastern areas of Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip since Tuesday morning.
According to Palestinian sources, the intense attacks of the Israeli regime on Rafah continue and the Zionists have turned the city of Rafah into a closed military zone committing genocide in this area.
Dozens of people were martyred and injured in these brutal attacks. Many women and children can be seen among the martyrs.
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