White House: 'Israel is not being left defenseless'

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby made assessments regarding the Gaza agenda at a press briefing held at the White House.

Arguing that the suspension of a shipment containing bombs of a certain size to Israel has had no negative impact on U.S.-Israel relations, Kirby said that this shipment was temporarily suspended and that the review regarding the shipment is ongoing.

Kirby stated, "We have only suspended the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs, but other weapons and defense support continue to flow from the U.S. to Israel. Israel is not being left defenseless. Israel currently possesses and will continue to possess similar military capabilities and stockpiles," he said.

Noting that U.S. President Joe Biden's stance on Rafah is clear, Kirby expressed that they have been clear about Israel not launching a major offensive into this region.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAINST RAFAH OFFENSIVE

U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN yesterday that he would stop sending weapons to Israel if it enters Rafah with a large-scale offensive.

The U.S. President had stated, "If they go into Rafah, they haven't gone in yet (with a comprehensive offensive), if they go in, then I have made it clear that I will not supply the weapons that have been used in Rafah and other cities."

The Biden administration opposes any comprehensive ground offensive by Israel in Rafah that does not include a realistic plan to protect civilians, due to concerns that it would lead to more civilian deaths and an escalation of the humanitarian crisis.