Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed in a video message that Israeli forces will persist in their operations in Gaza despite the US warning of potential restrictions on weapon deliveries.
"Should Israel find itself standing alone, it will stand alone," Netanyahu declared during a public address commemorating Israeli Holocaust Memorial Day, shared via his official platform on Thursday.
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel remains resolute in its commitment to self-defense, asserting, "No amount of pressure will deter us from safeguarding our nation."
In a recent interview with CNN, US President Joe Biden indicated his readiness to withhold certain arms shipments to Israel in the event of a significant offensive in Rafah, the southern hub of the Gaza Strip accommodating over a million Palestinians.
"We're not abandoning Israel's security. We're refraining from enabling Israel's military actions in those regions," Biden clarified.
Acknowledging Israel's use of US-supplied munitions in Gaza, Biden lamented civilian casualties resulting from these operations.
"There have been civilian casualties in Gaza due to the deployment of these munitions and other methods employed in urban areas," Biden acknowledged.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin disclosed on Wednesday that the US had already suspended "a shipment of high-caliber munitions" bound for Israel.
Reports from US media outlets indicate that hundreds of weapon shipments have been dispatched to Israel since the onset of the ongoing conflict on October 7, 2023.
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