Jerusalem | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will “stand alone” if it has to in its war against Hamas.

His remarks in a statement issued Thursday came after President Joe Biden said the United States would not provide offensive weapons for Israel's long-promised assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Netanyahu said: “If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone. If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.”

Israeli military says it has weapons it needs for Rafah ground operation

Jerusalem | Israel's military spokesman says the Army has the weapons it needs to press ahead with its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari was asked at a news conference whether the army can conduct the operation without US arms.

“The army has armaments for the missions it plans, and for the missions in Rafah too -- we have what we need,” Hagari said.

Hagari spoke after US President Joe Biden said he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah - the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza - over concerns for the civilians there.

Hagari said relations with the US remain close, and that disagreements should be resolved behind closed doors.