IDF Could Reconsider Nature Of Rafah Op After Biden Comments-KAN

Israeli outlet Kan reporting that a senior Israeli official has said that the Netanyahu gov't may have to reconsider its plans for a ground offensive in Rafah following US President Joe Biden's threat to suspend supplies of some weapons to Israel if the IDF launches a major military operation in the city, risking mass civilian casualties. The official claimed that the IDF would have to alter its initial plans, while also being more "economical" with the use of US-supplied ordnance.

• In a 8 May interview with CNN, Biden stated that “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah [...], I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities – that deal with that problem,” Biden has come under significant pressure from the left of his Democratic party to curtail or even end the US' support for Israel.
• Biden claimed that, “We’re not walking away from Israel’s security. We’re walking away from Israel’s ability to wage war in those areas,” However, his comments garnered criticism from ultranationalists in the Israeli gov't. Hardline Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted on X: "Hamas [heart emoji] Biden".
• The latest in ceasfire talks indicates an impasse, with Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas' political office in Qatar, statingon 8 May that the group would not go beyond its 6 May proposal and that “Israel isn’t serious about reaching an agreement and it is using the negotiation as a cover to invade Rafah and occupy the crossing,”