Netanyahu vows to ‘stand alone’ if Biden halts arms

What occurred

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a defiant tone Thursday after President Joe Biden threatened to withhold sure American offensive munitions if Israel launches a full floor invasion of Rafah, the Gaza metropolis the place 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Israel says Rafah is Hamas’ remaining army stronghold.

Who stated what

“If we have to stand alone, we are going to stand alone,” Netanyahu stated. “If needed, we are going to combat with our fingernails.” Israel has “what we want” when it comes to munitions “for the missions in Rafah,” stated army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. 

“Hamas ❤️ Biden,” posted Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of many ultra-nationalists in Netanyahu’s Cupboard who has threatened to carry down the federal government if Israel would not invade Rafah. To keep away from being “turned out of workplace,” Netanyahu “must preserve the ‘whole victory’ fable alive — and that’s solely doable by avoiding a take care of Hamas,” Anshel Pfeffer stated for Haaretz. 

What subsequent?

Stop-fire negotiations in Cairo have been paused Thursday. The departing Israeli and Hamas delegations wish to “blame the opposite man” if talks fail, and “the one celebration that is actually in a rush is Biden,” longtime U.S. Mideast negotiator Aaron David Miller stated to the New York Instances. “Certain, he is apprehensive about Palestinian deaths if Bibi goes massive in Rafah” however “additionally is aware of it would make any negotiation … all however unimaginable.”