Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he exerted pressure on the United States to provide the necessary arms supplies for the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The US temporarily halted the delivery of weapons to Israel in early May due to concerns over the intensity of the Israeli offensive in Rafah, resulting in a shipment of 3,500 bombs for fighter jets being put on hold.
Netanyahu’s remarks, shared in a video on social media, highlighted his conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who assured him of efforts to expedite the arms supplies to Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised the importance of a steady flow of weapons from the US to help bring an end to the conflict with Hamas, drawing parallels to historical references like Winston Churchill’s call for support during World War II.
Netanyahu has instructed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and other officials to ensure that arms transfers from the US are promptly resumed during upcoming meetings in Washington, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Israel has been receiving mixed messages from the US regarding arms shipments. Despite President Joe Biden’s warnings to halt such shipments, the administration reportedly continued to provide weapons and ammunition to Israel.
In May, the US transferred $1 billion worth of ammunition and vehicles, even though bomb deliveries were stopped during the same month.
The Washington Post revealed that the White House successfully pressured Democrats in Congress to support a significant arms sale to Israel, which includes 50 F-15 fighter jets valued at over $18 billion.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated after militants launched a surprise attack, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 200 individuals.
The ongoing fighting has claimed the lives of more than 37,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
