Real? Or just someone floating a trial balloon?
[IsraelTimes] NBC says Pentagon reviewing which munitions could be used to push Netanyahu to reduce intensity of war, allow more aid into Gaza; administration says no change in US policy.No resignations among the Joint Chiefs in protest? It looks like they all agree with the Biden administration’s clever idea.
Washington is weighing using weapons supplies as leverage to pressure Israel to reduce the intensity of its operations in the Gaza Strip, according to a Sunday report by US television network NBC.The J Street version of love for Israel.
Although no decisions have been made, the White House asked the Defense Department to review which weapons could be used as leverage on Israel, the report said, pointing at 155 mm artillery shells and JDAM kits to turn missiles into precision munitions.The report cited three current US officials and a former official.
All anonymous, of course, if three there really are. And any/all could be powerless interns trying to create events from underneath.
The White House did not issue an outright denial in its response to the report on Sunday, but said that there is no change in its Israel policy.“Israel has a right and obligation to defend themselves against the threat of Hamas, while abiding by international humanitarian law and protecting civilian lives, and we remain committed to support Israel in its fight against Hamas,” a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said. “We have done so since October 7, and will continue to. There has not been a change in our policy.”
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the report.
Probably not true, but only the most determinedly oblivious would be surprised if it was.
The administration is focused on offensive military equipment in its review of what it could possibly withhold or delay,” the report said. It noted, however, that officials “have also discussed offering the Israeli government more of the weapons it has requested” — to encourage Israel “to take some steps the administration has requested.”Perhaps it is merely that NBC is overexcited about the idea of hamstringing that horrid country of the Jooooooos.
NBC said defensive systems and munitions, like Iron Dome interceptors, are not under consideration for having their delivery slowed down.One of Washington’s goals is to convince Israel to open humanitarian corridors to allow more aid to reach Gazans. The US has also repeatedly urged Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties.
The “Yes, but” approach.
“There’s a lot more that needs to be done and that they need to be more careful about,” says an administration official.In December, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken fast-tracked the sale of munitions to Israel, bypassing congressional review, including 155 mm artillery shells and related equipment worth $147.5 million. Earlier the same month, Blinken used the same emergency authority to fast-track the sale of $106 million in roughly 14,000 tank shells to Israel on December 9.
The White House has been pressing Israel on the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in Gaza, its vision for the “day after” Hamas and the growing number of civilian casualties in the Strip.
The Netanyahu government has made some concessions on humanitarian issues, including allowing large shipments of flour to enter Gaza through the Ashdod port earlier this month.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is of increasing urgency for Biden, as he faces protests from progressives upset about his administration’s support for Israel in its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and the rising civilian death toll.
Biden faces an election in November, and is lagging behind likely GOP challenger Donald Trump in most polls. In November, Biden helped broker a temporary ceasefire that saw critical aid reach Gaza and the release of some hostages held by the terrorists.
For a given value of Biden, anyway.
Last week, Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir conducted a working visit to Washington, during which he met with senior Pentagon and State Department officials, as well as executives from major US defense companies to discuss the advancement of the defense deals.Defense sources told The Times of Israel that Israel’s plans to procure a new squadron of 25 F35i stealth fighter jets, a squadron of 25 F-15IA fighter jets — the Israeli variant of the advanced F-15EX — and a squadron of 12 Apache helicopters were advanced during the discussions.
The Defense Ministry delegation also worked to advance the continued supply of American munitions amid the war.