Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. will not support an Israeli military operation in the southern city of Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians. This statement was made in response to Israel’s preparation to expand its military operation in Rafah, despite international criticism and new evacuations of civilians being ordered in the area. President Biden had previously mentioned pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel, specifically high-payload bombs that could have a significant impact on densely populated areas. Blinken clarified that this was the only thing the administration had held back.
President Biden has faced criticism from both the left and right for his continued support of Israel, especially in light of the recent conflict in Rafah. Blinken defended the president, stating that no president has done more to defend Israel when it mattered than Joe Biden. However, the administration has expressed concerns about a major military operation in Rafah for some time. Blinken emphasized that certain systems would not be supported or supplied by the U.S. if Israel launched such an operation. He also highlighted the need to develop a plan for what happens after the conflict in Gaza is over, as Hamas is regaining control in areas cleared by Israel.
Blinken delivered a report to Congress regarding the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza, stating that it is reasonable to assess that Israel violated international humanitarian law. However, the report did not definitively conclude that this had occurred, citing incomplete information about the use of U.S. weapons. The Biden administration has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the report, with some arguing that it does not go far enough in addressing the violations that may have occurred. Senator Tom Cotton criticized the report as “mealy-mouthed politics,” while Senator Chris Van Hollen said that it avoided the hard questions.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the violation of international humanitarian law. The U.S. government has been closely monitoring the situation and has expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself while emphasizing the need to protect civilians. President Biden’s decision to pause a shipment of bombs to Israel reflects a cautious approach to supporting Israel in its military operations, especially in densely populated areas like Rafah. The administration is working on developing a plan for the post-conflict situation in Gaza and is committed to ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.
