Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet on Sunday about a significant decrease in U.S. weapons deliveries for Israel’s war efforts in Gaza. This emphasizes the growing tensions between the two allies, despite the Biden administration denying Netanyahu’s claims.
Netanyahu mentioned that the drop occurred four months ago, not specifying the type of weapons affected, only stating that “certain items arrived sporadically while the main munitions were delayed.”
The disagreement highlights the strained relationship between Israel and the U.S. regarding the conflict in Gaza, particularly concerning Israeli military actions and civilian casualties. President Joe Biden has withheld some heavy bombs since May due to these concerns, but his administration refuted Netanyahu’s accusations of other impacted shipments.
Netanyahu explained that he released an English video last week after unsuccessful attempts to hasten deliveries through diplomatic channels with American officials. He expressed hope for a resolution soon.
Following Netanyahu’s video, critics in Israel expressed outrage, and White House officials denied and expressed confusion over his claims. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with senior officials in Washington, focusing on “maintaining Israel’s qualitative edge in the region” with no mention of the weapons issue.
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The war in Gaza, which began with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, has strained the U.S.-Israel relationship. While the U.S. supports Israel’s objectives, concerns have grown over civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Biden faces pressure from progressive Democrats to take a firmer stance against Israel, especially regarding military tactics. Despite warnings to Netanyahu, the administration has refrained from imposing broader arms restrictions.
As tensions rise, Netanyahu faces political risks and opportunities. Some view the public disputes as damaging important alliances for political gain, while others see it as prioritizing Israel’s interests above U.S. relations.