Netanyahu rebuffs U.S. threat to withhold arms shipments

Israel can stand alone, will fight with our fingernails’ if needed, PM says

Israeli tanks and military vehicles are seen in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Israel has repeatedly threatened to invade Rafah, where some 1.3 million Palestinians — over half the population of the territory — have sought refuge.

JERUSALEM Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a U.S. threat to withhold some arms would not prevent Israel from continuing its offensive in Gaza, indicating it might proceed with an invasion of the packed city of Rafah against the wishes of its closest ally.

U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Israel not to go ahead with such an operation over fears it would exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave. On Wednesday, he said the United States would not provide offensive weapons for a Rafah offensive, raising pressure on Netanyahu.