A post on the "X" platform by Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, expressing Hamas's satisfaction with U.S. President Joe Biden, has caused controversy in Israel. Ben Gvir's post symbolized "love" from Hamas towards President Biden following the latter's remarks threatening to halt arms supplies to Israel if it continued its operations in Rafah. In his "sarcastic" post, the Israeli minister wrote the words Hamas and Biden with a "red heart" in between them. Hamas ❤️ Biden— Itamar Ben Gvir (@itamarbengvir) May 9, 2024.
Biden stated in an interview with CNN that the United States "will not provide weapons and artillery shells to Israel," clarifying: "Israel will not receive our support if it enters the populated areas of Rafah." Ben Gvir's comment provoked Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss the National Security Minister after he tweeted, "Hamas loves Biden." Lapid said in a statement: "If Netanyahu does not fire Ben Gvir today, he is putting every soldier in the Israeli army and every citizen in the State of Israel at risk."
The United States has suspended a shipment of arms to Israel that includes heavy bombs used in its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinians so far.
