Is the United States "getting serious"? , Israel is “one muscle”
As Israel launched an attack on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, on May 8, US President Biden decided to suspend the delivery of high-load ammunition to Israel.
On May 9, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu responded that even if the United States does not provide weapons, Israel will not stop attacking Rafah. He said that Biden made mistakes and hoped that he and Biden could find a way to overcome their differences.
On May 6, local time, Israel bombed eastern Rafah
According to military observer Liang Yongchun, the reason why the Israeli Netanyahu government ignored U.S. President Biden's warning and insisted on attacking Rafah had both political and military considerations.
From a political point of view, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu can only continue his political life if he bites the bullet and fights.
From a military point of view, the Israeli army has approached the city of Rafah from the north, east and south. However, there is still a land border between the west of Rafah and Egypt. The Israeli army believes that Hamas has built an underground network in this area. Complex tunnel system. The Israeli army is worried that Hamas will use the opportunity of ceasefire negotiations to send important figures out through the tunnels and transport weapons and ammunition in, which will affect its plan to eradicate Hamas.
Data map: In October 2023 local time, a US military plane carrying an armored vehicle arrived in Israel
Some analysts pointed out that Biden's remarks about "cutting off the supply of weapons" are the latest sign of the continued deterioration of relations between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu's response shows that the contradiction between Israel and the United States is deepening.
The United States' clear announcement to suspend the delivery of ammunition to Israel is not only a way to convey more political pressure to Israel, but also a political gesture in response to domestic anti-war public opinion in the United States.
The Biden administration's request for Israel is to reduce civilian casualties. As long as Israel causes less trouble to the United States, the United States will support Israel in continuing the fight.
Israel stated on May 9 that although the United States has suspended the delivery of some weapons to Israel, Israel already has weapons and equipment to carry out various tasks, including the Rafah military operation.
Liang Yongchun believes that the Israeli military's offensive against Rafah will be further expanded in the future, and the humanitarian situation in the Rafah area is deteriorating rapidly.
Although the United States has suspended the supply of ammunition to Israel, the Israeli army still has enough ammunition with its existing ammunition reserves.
The Israeli army has formed a comprehensive siege on Rafah. Rafah is filled with many Palestinian refugees who have been driven by the Israeli army from other cities in the Gaza Strip. It is impossible to complete the evacuation in a short time.
Under the threat of Israeli artillery fire, the humanitarian situation in Rafah will only worsen.