War cabinet to discuss recent US weapons shipment pause

Palestine

Published: 2024-05-09 21:51

Last Updated: 2024-05-20 02:08


“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with War Minister Yoav Gallant and army chief Herzi Halevi (October 8, 2023)
“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with War Minister Yoav Gallant and army chief Herzi Halevi (October 8, 2023)

The “Israeli” war cabinet is set to meet this evening to discuss the Biden administration’s decision to pause a weapons shipment ahead of a looming “Israeli” invasion of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

Another meeting for the national security cabinet is slated two hours later – one official told the “The Times of Israel”.


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The official added that the “Israeli” reaction to the US pause is largely the same as Netanyahu’s statement earlier – where he vowed that the Israeli Occupation will fight with their fingernails in the Gaza Strip if they have, per his expression.

In a phone call on Monday between Netanyahu and Biden, the latter warned the Prime Minister that the United States will halt “offensive weapons” if a wide-scale incursion into the city of Rafah takes place – where around 1.5 millions displaced Palestinians are currently taking refuge.


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Earlier, senior “Israeli” officials have expressed their “deep frustration” with the Biden administration over its recent decision – two sources briefed on the issue told news website “Axios”.

The US decision could jeopardize the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and the Israeli Occupation – the sources warned.


Also Read: Negotiations end in Cairo; “Israel” to continue Rafah operation


US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: "We're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself. But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.”

The shipment included 1,800 2,000-pound-bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.