White House Raises Concerns over Israeli Bombs in Populated Areas amidst Gaza Crisis

In the United States, at the White House, discussions are taking place regarding the Israeli government’s use of heavy bombs in densely populated urban areas. The US authorities have expressed their worries concerning this matter during their interactions with Israeli officials. This move comes as a result of growing apprehension within the White House regarding the current situation in Rafah, Gaza. While the administration has maintained that it supports Israel’s right to self-defense, it has also emphasized the importance of avoiding civilian casualties in any military action taken by the Israeli forces. As a result, the US authorities have proposed alternative methods for defeating Hamas that don’t necessitate a significant ground operation in Rafah. Nevertheless, privately, there has been mounting concern within the White House about the ongoing conflict, but publicly, officials have stated that they believe Israel’s actions have not breached President Biden’s warning against a wide-scale operation in the city. However, the US State Department is currently evaluating whether to authorize the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which add precision guidance systems to bombs, to Israel. Nonetheless, this evaluation does not apply to immediate shipments. In an interview with CNN, President Biden affirmed the US’s commitment to Israel’s defense and pledged to provide Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive weaponry. Still, he warned that if Israel enters Rafah, “We’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.” Despite this, there are severe concerns about the safety of the more than one million civilians taking cover in Rafah. The White House’s position reflects a delicate balancing act between supporting Israel’s security needs and minimizing harm to Palestinian civilians.