If US support is lost
Netanyahu: Israel will fight alone if necessary
May 9, 2024, 11:09 p.m
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The USA wants to further restrict arms deliveries to Israel in the event of a possible offensive in Rafah. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasizes that his country will defend itself alone and fight “with its claws” and win.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will defend itself alone if necessary in the face of international criticism of the Gaza war. “If we have to stand on our own, then we will stand on our own,” Netanyahu said in a video message. If necessary, Israel will fight “with its claws” and win, the head of government said in his first public statement after a threat from the USA to restrict arms supplies to Israel.
US President Joe Biden had previously threatened Israel with further restrictions on the supply of army equipment in the event of a large-scale military offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. If Israel’s military marches into densely populated parts of the city for an offensive, it will have consequences for arms deliveries, he told CNN. He would not provide the weapons for a full-scale invasion.
In his video message, Netanyahu referred to Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. “In the War of Independence 76 years ago, we were the few against the many. We had no weapons, there was even an arms embargo against Israel.” Nevertheless, they won back then. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is much stronger than it was back then and is also united and united to defeat its enemies.
According to its spokesman, the Israeli military has all the necessary weapons to continue its offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari was asked at a press conference whether the armed forces could carry out the operation without American weapons. “We have what we need,” he replied.