Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations expressed disappointment Thursday with US President Joe Biden’s warning to cut off certain weaponry supply to Israel if it invades the populated Gaza city of Rafah.
As Israel’s first reaction to Biden’s warning, Gilad Erdan said, “This is a difficult and very disappointing statement to hear from a president to whom we have been grateful since the beginning of the war”.
Israel has disregarded international protests by sending in tanks and carrying out targeted raids in the border city, which it claims is home to Hamas’ last remaining battalions but is also overcrowded with displaced Palestinian residents.
During an interview, Biden said, “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used… to deal with the cities”.
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs”, Biden continued.
“It’s just wrong”, Biden expressed.
Erdan responded that Biden’s remarks would be understood by Israel’s adversaries Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah as something that gives them hope to succeed.
Erdan went on to say, “If Israel is restricted from entering an area as important and central as Rafah where there are thousands of terrorists, hostages, and leaders of Hamas, how exactly are we supposed to achieve our goals?”
“This is not a defensive weapon. This is about certain offensive bombs. In the end, the State of Israel will have to do what it thinks needs to be done for the security of its citizens”, Erdan added.
Also read: Despite Joe Biden’s Warning, Israel Proceeds With Rafah Operation
