Concerns Over Biden Arms Policy

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden stated that he will not supply weapons Israel could use to launch an all-out operation in Rafah, saying in an interview with CNN:

"If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have
been used historically to deal with Rafah."

During that interview, he explained that the US is still committed to Israel’s defence and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms. But the President had already chosen to pause a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel last week, saying that Israel needs to do more to protect civilian lives in Gaza.

His latest statement has caused alarm in the US and in the Middle East, and may not ultimately benefit the civilians in the Gaza Strip.

It appears to favour victory for Hamas in the conflict with Israel, when many observers, not just the Israelis, believe defeating the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah is essential to removing the main threat posed by Hamas.

Observers are now saying that, if this is the way the US behaves towards its main ally in the Middle East, leaders of other countries will not view the US as a reliable ally, and its international influence will decrease accordingly.

This informative LiveNOW interview from Fox: