Live updates from Israel and Gaza: USA: Netanyahu video was “confusing” and “disappointing”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Punchbowl News that he considered his video publicly accusing the Biden administration of withholding weapons “absolutely necessary after months of quiet talks that have failed to resolve the issue.”

“We recognized several months ago that we had significant problems. And indeed, in many, many confidential discussions between our and American officials and between me and the president, we tried to iron out these supply bottlenecks. But we could not solve them,” Netanyahu said.

“I discussed this issue with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. And I said that our officials at the Defense Department are telling us that there is hardly any money coming in. He said, ‘Well, everything is in the works. We are doing everything we can to solve the problem. And to eliminate the bottlenecks,'” Netanyahu continued.

The US has rejected Netanyahu’s claim, pointing out that only a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs had been held back.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that Netanyahu’s video was “as upsetting and disappointing to us as it was wrong.”

“No other country is doing more to help Israel defend itself,” Kirby said.

Netanyahu said in his speech to Congress on July 24 that he wanted to “speak to a broad spectrum of the American people and tap into the bipartisan support that remains strong in America.”

–Molly Nagle and Will Gretsky of ABC News

The Pentagon confirmed that the flow of aid had resumed via a makeshift pier off the coast of Gaza after it was detached from the beach as a precautionary measure to withstand rough seas.

“I can confirm that U.S. Central Command personnel re-anchored and re-erected the temporary pier on Gaza Beach yesterday,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday. “As they have done in the past, Israel Defense Forces engineers provided all necessary support to ensure the security and placement of the pier on the beach. And no U.S. troops were on site during the pier’s re-anchoring.”

More than £1.4 million in humanitarian aid has flowed from Cyprus to Gaza since operations resumed overnight, he said.

In total, more than 9.1 million pounds have been delivered through the corridor since May 17, he said.

Ryder stressed that no end date has yet been set for the Pier mission.

“We will continue to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid through the maritime corridor and, as always, take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of personnel at the pier, including adapting to the sea state in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

– ABC News’ Luis Martinez

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the video released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming the U.S. had halted its arms shipments came as a surprise.

The video was “confusing to say the least” and “certainly disappointing, especially given that no other country is doing more to help Israel defend itself,” Kirby told reporters on Thursday.

Netanyahu said in a video on Tuesday: “It is unbelievable that the government has withheld weapons and ammunition from Israel in recent months.”

When asked if the administration had any idea why Netanyahu felt it was necessary to release the video, Kirby again expressed her frustration.

“I have no idea. You would have to speak to the Prime Minister about what prompted him to do that. Again, it was upsetting and disappointing for us – as well as wrong. It’s so difficult to know exactly what was going on in his head,” he said.

Kirby was also asked about the behind-the-scenes efforts to get an apology from Netanyahu for the video. Kirby said, “I think we have made clear to our Israeli colleagues across various media our deep disappointment with the statements made in this video and our concerns about the accuracy of the statements made.”

Netanyahu responded on Thursday: “I am ready to endure personal attacks, provided that Israel receives from the United States the ammunition it needs in the war for its existence.”

Kirby also confirmed that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was still attending a meeting with senior Israeli officials on Thursday.

Kirby said the “comprehensive meeting” would “cover everything related to the Gaza war, our support for Israel and our efforts to get a better sense of how they continue their operations against Hamas. And we will continue to talk about the importance of reaching this agreement.”

-Molly Nagle and Michelle Stoddart of ABC News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Thursday with the families of the hostages declared dead in Gaza.

Netanyahu immediately met with the rescued hostages, but was criticized for not yet meeting with the families of the dead.

“We are determined to return them all, all 120 abducted – the living and the victims alike,” Netanyahu told the families. “We will not give up on anyone.”

The hostage center is holding another large rally on Saturday, calling on the government to agree to a ceasefire and bring the remaining hostages home.

-Will Gretsky of ABC News