The Biden administration has decided to proceed with over $1 billion in weapons deals for Israel, despite recent concerns over Israel’s military operations in Rafah. This comes as the European Union intensifies its condemnation of Israel’s actions in the southern Gaza city.
The decision to approve the arms deal was disclosed by anonymous U.S. officials to The Washington Post. However, it contrasts with the European Union’s stance, as its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, urged Israel to halt its military operation in Rafah immediately. Borrell warned that continued military action could strain the relationship between the E.U. and Israel significantly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the disagreement with the United States over the Rafah operation but stated the necessity of Israel’s actions in the region.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate, with the death toll in Gaza rising, and hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes in Rafah following Israeli evacuation orders. The United Nations has condemned attacks on its personnel and facilities, including an arson attack on an agency office in Jerusalem.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly urged Netanyahu to reject the idea of Israeli control over postwar Gaza, advocating instead for an alternative governing authority to Hamas. Netanyahu, however, emphasized the need to neutralize Hamas’s military capabilities before considering any change in governance.
