US President Joe Biden issues a warning to Israel, threatening to stop sending offensive weapons if a full-scale invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza proceeds. The warning comes amidst concerns over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in the region.
US to Halt Weapons Supply to Israel Over Rafah Invasion Plans, Biden Warns
US President Joe Biden has issued a warning to Israel, stating that the United States would stop sending offensive weapons if Israel proceeds with a full-scale invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. This statement represents Biden’s most direct admonishment of Israel’s military activities in Gaza so far.
The warning was made during an interview with CNN while Biden was traveling in Wisconsin. The US had already put a hold on a shipment of munitions to Israel, influenced by concerns over the humanitarian situation in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinian civilians are seeking refuge.
The Biden administration is advocating for a diplomatic solution, aiming for a hostage exchange arrangement between Israel and Hamas and a ceasefire that could last for six weeks. Biden expressed concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli military operations.
Additionally, the conflict in Gaza has severely restricted the flow of essential aid, which has been reduced to minimal levels following the movement of Israeli troops into Rafah.
This development is part of a broader geopolitical landscape that includes various other events and policy decisions, such as interest rate updates from central banks in the UK, Mexico, and Peru, as well as economic data releases from Mexico.
In the corporate world, companies like Tapestry, Warner Bros Discovery, and Roblox are releasing their financial results. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his European tour with a visit to Hungary, and Russia held a military parade in Moscow to mark Victory Day during the closure of its financial markets.
In addition to these developments, there were notable business and environmental news stories, including a hostile takeover bid by BBVA for Banco Sabadell in Spain and severe flooding in southern Brazil attributed to climate change.
The intersection of US foreign policy with the conflict between Israel and Hamas remains a critical issue, with significant implications for international relations and humanitarian conditions in the region.
