Israel on Thursday began shelling Rafah amid a US ultimatum for its military conduct in the ongoing Gaza invasion.
US President Joe Biden is under severe pressure to end support to Israel but the Netanyahu-led administration’s pounding of the southern city of Rafah is not helping.
Meanwhile, the regional and international media covering the invasion observed heavy shelling near Rafah early on Thursday, confirming the development. The Israeli military subsequently said that it was also targeting "Hamas positions" farther north in the Gaza Strip's core.
In his latest interview that aired on Wednesday, Biden threatened to cut off all US arms supplies to Israel if it continued with its long-discussed Rafah ground attack.
He said, "If they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used… to deal with the cities," Biden stated. "We are not going to furnish the weaponry.
The US President said, "Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a result of those bombs… It's just wrong." He emphasised, however, that the US was "not walking away from Israel's security."
However, it seems as if the threats of halting weapons have not been able to deter Israel’s ambition to invade Rafah.
According to media sources, Washington has stopped one shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs. Large bombs, such as those weighing 2,000 pounds, have a far-reaching impact.
According to the UN, "the pressure from the explosion can rupture lungs, burst sinus cavities, and tear off limbs hundreds of metres from the blast site."
In a separate development, several nations like Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta, along with other member states, have decided to recognise the Palestinian state amid Israel's reluctance to declare ceasefire.
So far, 34906 Palestinians have lost their lives, the majority of whom are civilians, including children and women, said the Health Ministry in Gaza.
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