President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah — the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza — over concern for the well-being of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there.
Biden, in an interview with CNN, said the U.S. was still committed to Israel’s defense and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms, but that if Israel goes into Rafah, “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”
Certain weapons like Iron Dome interceptors can only really be used for that purpose. I’m sure if Hamas got their hands on the interceptors, they would make clever use of the warheads.
But I do agree with you. Whose to say they don’t have enough munitions stockpiled already to shell Gaza for years to come? Or maybe purchase under the table from other supportive countries in Europe?
Iron Dome allows Israel to attack with impunity. If we didn’t supply them, maybe they would be forced to negotiate in good faith.
If they only had Iron Dome, they’d only be able to defend. I agree with you, though. Take away their stick and see how well they get along with their neighbors.