White House National Security spokesman John Kirby claimed that any Israeli offensive into Gaza would just embolden Hamas at a press briefing Thursday, The Times of Israel reported.
Kirby claimed that it was the White House’s view that any “major Rafah ground operation” would play into and strengthen Hamas “at the negotiating table” rather than Israel, The Times of Israel reported.
“If I’m Mr. Sinwar, and I’m sitting down in my tunnel… and I’m seeing innocent people falling victim to major significant combat operations in Rafah, then I have less of an incentive to want to come to the negotiating table,” Kirby added.
An Israeli offensive in Rafah would embolden Hamas in hostage talks – US https://t.co/EepHtxrSWY via @timesofisrael
— Ilan Hulkower (@IHulkower) May 9, 2024
These statements came the day following President Joe Biden’s CNN interview Wednesday where he threatened to halt shipments of offensive weapons to Israel should they conduct operations in the populated areas of Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, Politico reported. Biden told CNN he had communicated this view to the Israeli war cabinet, The Times of Israel reported.
Kirby observed that hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel were still ongoing in Egypt, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Biden Admin Delaying Weapons Shipment To Israel: REPORT)
Prime Minister Netanyahu told Biden “We will fight with our fingernails if we have to” in a phone conversation Monday, a senior official told the outlet. The official reportedly said this remained the prime minister’s position. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir made the most direct comment when he alleged that Hamas loves Biden in a tweet.
Hamas ❤️Biden
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 9, 2024
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told the press that Israel already had enough munitions to carry out the missions “it is planning, and also for the missions in Rafah,” Emanuel Fabian, a Times of Israel military correspondent, tweeted.
Responding to a question at a press conference, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the military has enough munitions for the missions it has planned, after US President Joe Biden threatened that some arms shipments would be frozen if Israel launches a planned offensive in…
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 9, 2024
Biden’s remarks drew criticism from across the American political aisle with Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman both among those denouncing the threat to withhold arms from Israel.