Israel-Gaza war: Netanyahu calls on the US to “give us the means and we will finish the job”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said US President Joe Biden was holding back weapons in the war against Hamas because his country was “fighting for its survival”. The White House denied this accusation.

In an English-language video message released on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he had told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Israel last week that he appreciated Washington’s support but said it was “unimaginable” that weapons or ammunition had been withheld in recent months.

While the US stopped a shipment of large bombs, the White House denied that further weapons were being held back.

“We really don’t know what he’s talking about,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “We just don’t know.”

The Biden administration has become increasingly critical of Israel’s offensive in Gaza to eradicate Hamas. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union and killed over 1,200 Israelis and abducted over 250 as of October 7, sparking the ongoing war.

According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, more than 37,000 Palestinians were killed.

Biden held back a shipment of 900-kilogram bombs as a sign of his frustration and said last month he would stop further shipments of offensive weapons if the country launched a large-scale ground invasion of Rafah.

Israeli tanks reportedly reached the city center on May 28. The military spoke of a limited and precise series of operations.

Blinken told reporters on Tuesday that aside from that one shipment, “everything else is business as usual.”

Netanyahu did not specify which weapons or ammunition the US, Israel’s largest arms supplier, had allegedly held back. The Israeli president added that Blinken had assured him that the government was working “day and night” to eliminate any shortages. His office did not respond to inquiries.

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Netanyahu admits ‘tragic mistake’ after airstrike kills dozens of people in Rafah tent camp

Netanyahu admits ‘tragic mistake’ after airstrike kills dozens of people in Rafah tent camp

Netanyahu, who is scheduled to speak to the US Congress at the end of July, cited British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s plea from World War II.

“Churchill told the United States, ‘Give us the tools and we will do the job,'” Netanyahu said. “And I say, give us the tools and we will do the job much faster.”

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who has called for a halt to the supply of offensive weapons to Israel until it agrees to the terms of their use, scoffed in an interview on Tuesday: “Netanyahu wants to come here and act like he’s Winston Churchill – but he’s not Winston Churchill.”

US officials have said privately that Israel has enough weapons for its use in Rafah and additional supplies should the conflict with Hezbollah in the north escalate.

Two key Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate have agreed, under pressure from the White House and pro-Israel activists, to a major arms sale to Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than $18 billion, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.