Index – Abroad – For the first time, the United States can withdraw support from the Israeli military

As is well known, the Israeli army carried out an airstrike on Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip at the end of last week, and a ground operation was carried out in the West Bank. The Israeli action caused the death of several civilians.

The Axios news portal reported shortly after that the United States may punish Israel’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion for alleged human rights abuses in the West Bank. As the BBC knows, all of this would ultimately result in the withdrawal of aid to offending units.

When asked last week whether US military aid to Israel Defense Forces units could be cut due to alleged human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said “it will be revealed in the next few days”.

Benjamin Netanyahu responded in his statement on Sunday:

I will fight it with all my might.

As Israel’s main ally, Washington has never previously suspended support for any unit of the Israeli military.

According to the Israeli army, the Netzah Yehuda battalion besieging the West Bank acted in accordance with international law and did not commit any violations.

Israel’s defense minister called on the United States to withdraw its intention to sanction Netzah Yehuda, citing that the world is watching the relationship between the United States and Israel more closely than ever before.

“Any attempt to criticize an entire military unit casts a heavy shadow over the actions of the Israeli army. This is not the right course for partners and friends,” Gallant said in a statement.

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