White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has reiterated the U.S. government's stance on supporting Israel amidst concerns over a potential military operation in Rafah. Despite questions regarding President Biden's position on potentially withdrawing aid if Israel proceeds with an operation in Rafah without accounting for civilian safety, Kirby emphasized, "We're going to continue to support Israel," highlighting their right to defend themselves against Hamas. Kirby also mentioned that the U.S. has confidence in Israel's understanding of American concerns regarding civilian safety and stressed, "Hamas remains a viable threat to the Israeli people." Furthermore, Kirby's comments have sparked discussions, with some interpreting his statements as a defense of Israeli actions and a comparison suggesting the IDF might be more cautious in protecting civilians than the U.S. military, stating, "actions that even I'm not sure our own military would take."
The #Biden admin has no plans to punish #Israel if it launches a military campaign in #Rafah without ensuring civilian safety, per x3 U.S. officials. Important & clear summary of reality, by @alexbward & @mattberg33: https://t.co/iaIpdjtY93
White House Spox John Kirby Claims Israel Is Taking Actions to Protect Civilians That 'I'm Not Sure Our Own Military Would Take' https://t.co/NlvaktEKX6
Kirby has lost his way. Here, he defends Israeli war crimes by suggesting the IDF is more careful than the U.S. military. In protecting civilians, he says, the IDF has taken "actions that even I'm not sure our own military would take." Comments follow. https://t.co/xA5HJxlv71
John Kirby throws U.S. military under the bus suggesting they're worse than IDF war criminals when asked about assessment that Israel is receptive to Biden's concerns: "There are actions that even I'm not sure our own military would take" https://t.co/Nc6aNP8ko7 https://t.co/FzzOcBO8gM
“We never said that they can't go into Rafah to remove Hamas. Hamas remains a viable threat to the Israeli people,” said US National Security Advisor John Kirby. https://t.co/mLsfBeM7E7
NEW: John Kirby & co have for months claimed the US is not assessing Israeli violations of international law in Gaza—but 3 sources tell me such evaluations are ongoing, underscoring Biden’s awareness he may be fueling war crimes. Details + implications: https://t.co/LbYlqaGmPw
"We want to make sure Israel can continue to defend itself," said White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby during a press briefing on Monday. Kirby was asked about possible US policy changes after Biden referred to "over the top" bombings in Gaza. https://t.co/L1YEJD8Gju
REPORTER: "Has the President ever threatened to strip military assistance from Israel if they move ahead with a Rafah operation that does not take into consequence what happens with civilians?" WHITE HOUSE: "We’re going to continue to support Israel." "They have a right to… https://t.co/tMCVUQ2IZc
WHITE HOUSE: "We never said that they [Israel] can’t go into Rafah to remove Hamas." "Hamas remains a viable threat to the Israeli people. And the Israelis and the IDF, absolutely, are going to continue operations against their leadership and their infrastructure, as they… https://t.co/4L8akVHbNd
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby: "We never said that they [Israel] can’t go into Rafah to remove Hamas. Hamas remains a viable threat to the Israeli people." https://t.co/O1PcLwidgF
NEW: ⚡ 🇺🇲🇮🇱 John Kirby: "We're going to continue to support Israel, despite Rafah" Q: Has Biden threatened to strip aid to Israel if they advance a Rafah operation that doesn't account for civilians? John Kirby: We're going to continue to support Israel. They have a right to… https://t.co/7RHzzoOudb
#Watch: Reporter: Does the president ever threaten to strip military assistance to Israel if they move ahead with the Rafah operation? Kirby: We will continue to support Israel https://t.co/TMw1pKRHTV
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says "We're going to continue to support Israel. They have a right to defend themselves." in response to a question about whether Biden threatened to strip aid to Israel if they advance a Rafah operation that doesn't account… https://t.co/P2XOw51IxY
Q: Has Biden threatened to strip aid to Israel if they advance a Rafah operation that doesn't account for civilians? John Kirby: We're going to continue to support Israel. They have a right to defend themselves against Hamas & we're gonna make sure they have the tools to do that https://t.co/93yf0Lmqta
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby asks a journalist to direct her question to the Israeli military when asked how is Israel going to attack Rafah without harming civilians. He also stressed that he is confident that the Israelis understand the US's concerns… https://t.co/YdRpmOnMqm
Asked if Biden has threatened to withdraw aid to Israel should it invade Rafah, Kirby replies: "We're going to continue to support Israel. They have a right to defend themselves against Hamas."