The Associated Press reports that the Israeli leader reiterated a claim that the Joe Biden administration has disputed. This development highlights the increasing tensions between the two longtime allies, amid conflicting accounts of the extent of US military support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet on Sunday that there has been a significant decline in US weapons shipments for Israel's military operations in Gaza.
According to Netanyahu, the reduction in US weapons deliveries to Israel occurred approximately four months prior, though he did not elaborate on the specific types of weapons affected.
He noted that while some supplies arrived intermittently, the bulk of the munitions were not delivered, leaving a significant shortfall in Israel's military capabilities.
The dispute has escalated tensions between Israel and the US, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza, with a focus on the Israeli military's actions and the impact on civilian populations.
President Joe Biden has withheld the delivery of certain advanced munitions since May, citing concerns over civilian casualties. However, the Biden administration recently pushed back against Netanyahu's claims that additional weapons shipments had been suspended, highlighting the growing diplomatic rift between the two nations.
Netanyahu informed the Cabinet that he felt compelled to release an English-language video last week, following weeks of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts to expedite weapons deliveries from the US.
He indicated that a resolution to the impasse seemed imminent, but his public appeal suggested a sense of urgency and frustration with the delayed shipments.
“In light of what I have heard over the past day, I hope and believe that this matter will be solved soon,” he said.
Netanyahu's video sparked outrage and disbelief in Israel, while White House officials responded with confusion and denial.
National security spokesman John Kirby expressed puzzlement, stating that the US was "perplexed" by Netanyahu's assertions. Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed the claims, saying that the administration was unclear about what Netanyahu was referring to, implying that his allegations were unfounded and lacking context.
The Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, has pushed the US-Israel alliance to unprecedented levels of tension.
Although the US has consistently backed Israel's objectives of rescuing captives held in Gaza and defeating Hamas, it has become increasingly alarmed by the escalating Palestinian casualties and the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the war, leading to a nuanced and complex diplomatic landscape.