Netanyahu’s Claim of Reduced US Arms Deliveries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday his assertion of a “dramatic drop” in US weapons deliveries for Israel’s Gaza war efforts. He stated that this decline began approximately four months ago, but did not specify the exact nature of the affected arms shipments. These remarks come ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled address to the US Congress, amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Washington regarding the conflict in Gaza.

President Joe Biden’s administration has expressed concerns over the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, resulting in a delay of certain heavy bomb deliveries since May. In response to Netanyahu’s claims, the White House has maintained that they are unaware of any broader impact on arms shipments to Israel.

Recent Developments in Gaza

• Witnesses reported that at least eight Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a training college near Gaza City. The strike targeted a vocational college operated by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, currently serving as a shelter for displaced families. While Israel claimed the site was used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, UNRWA highlighted the significant damage to its facilities during the conflict.
• Israeli tanks advanced into Rafah, engaging in heavy clashes with residents in the city’s western neighborhoods. The Israeli military stated that their operations in the area focused on locating weapon caches, tunnel networks, and engaging Palestinian gunmen.
• Health officials in Beit Lahiya reported the deaths of two more infants due to malnutrition, bringing the total toll from hunger and thirst-related causes to at least 31. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with over 37,598 people killed and 86,000 wounded since October last year, according to the Gaza health ministry.