Biden Administration Pushes for Cease-Fire in Gaza and Limits Israeli Militarization

On Wednesday, May 8, the head of the C.I.A. was dispatched by the Biden administration to meet with Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This action is part of a concerted effort to limit Israel’s military operation in the Gazan city of Rafah and to advocate for a cease-fire deal with Hamas.

The visit coincided with President Biden making some of his most forceful declarations directed at Israel. He cautioned that the United States would refrain from providing artillery shells and other weapons if Israel proceeded with its plans for a major ground offensive into Rafah.

In an interview with CNN, President Biden openly acknowledged that American bombs have been used by Israel to target civilians in the territory. He stated, "If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem."

Restrictions on Weapon Deliveries

President Biden emphasized that while the United States remains committed to ensuring Israel’s defenses, the delivery of artillery shells capable of being fired into the urban areas of Rafah would be blocked.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the shipment of 3,500 bombs was halted by Mr. Biden last week due to concerns that they might be used in a major assault on Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have sought refuge.

This move marks the first time since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel that President Biden has utilized his influence over Israel’s weapons in an effort to influence the conduct of the ongoing conflict. This public display of divergence between the two allies is unprecedented.