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.”
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.
