We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US-Israel Arms TV
HEADLINE: US withholds weapons as Israel launches operation in Rafah
TEASER: A ground assault in Gaza’s southernmost city would endanger the lives of 1.3 million civilians
PUBLISHED: Thursday, 05/08/2024 at
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Aru Pande, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, AFP, VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TV
EDITOR NOTES: Radio track included. There is a web.))
((INTRO:))
[[In a sharp escalation of pressure on Israel’s war conduct, the Biden administration has paused the shipment of weapons to Israel amid mounting concern about its plan to expand a military operation in Rafah that the United States does not support. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this story.]]
((Palestinians mourning AFP V000_34QF7Z7))
((NARRATOR))
As casualties mounted in Gaza, the United States warned in early April that its support for Israel’s war efforts would come with conditions unless it took concrete steps to protect civilians.
((Israeli ops in Rafah, AP 4493190))
((NARRATOR))
With Israel launching its operation earlier this week in Rafah, in the southern part of Gaza,
((Rafah tents, AFP V000_34R43QB))
((NARRATOR))
where 1.3 million civilians are sheltering, the U.S. warning
((Wide shot hearing https://app.frame.io/player/6b229484-a5a8-4a23-a541-6b0b57247f6c))
((NARRATOR))
came to fruition on Wednesday.
((Radio: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin))
((https://app.frame.io/player/05ee1576-aafa-4148-b4d8-d48b763ac2d3 TC 1:08))
((Lloyd Austin, U.S. Defense Secretary)) ((MRT Clip))
“We are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of the unfolding events in Rafah.”
((Israeli soldiers AFP V000_34PY8LK))
((NARRATOR))
It’s the first time the U.S. leveraged a weapons transfer to influence Israel’s war conduct since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack during which 1,200 people were killed and some 240 were taken hostage.
((Injured children rushed to hospital in Rafah, AFP V000_34R63ZU))
((NARRATOR))
Human rights groups have long demanded the U.S. stop weapons transfers, accusing Israel of using them in violation of humanitarian law.
((AFP V000_34PU3MY TC 0:15))
NATPOP WEAPONS
((Israeli soldiers AFP V000_34PU3MY))
((NARRATOR))
The suspension was welcomed by progressives in Biden’s Democratic Party but criticized by Republican lawmakers,
((Back time Graham))
((NARRATOR))
including Senator Lindsey Graham.
((https://app.frame.io/player/579111b9-2514-4cb3-abaa-61008657da8f TC 0:24))
((Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator))
“You want to micromanage the war? We dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. Did anybody in America really worry about that?”
((Israeli ops in Rafah, AFP V000_34R886E))
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. first considered withholding arms last month, as Israel seemed closer to a decision on Rafah, a senior administration official said. Because the Israelis did not fully address U.S. concerns, the administration decided to pause the arms transfer last week.
((GFX of bombs))
((NARRATOR))
This includes 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, about a ton. And 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds, around a quarter of a ton each.
((GFX of JDAM))
((NARRATOR))
Under review are transfers of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits that convert so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions.
((Biden walks in AP 4492988))
((NARRATOR))
Just a day earlier, President Joe Biden underscored his support for Israel.
((AP 4492988))
((President Joe Biden))
“My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad, even when we disagree.”
((Israeli ops in Rafah, AP 4493190))
((NARRATOR))
His administration recently approved $827 million worth of weapons to Israel. At the same time,
((Israeli soldiers AFP V000_34PY8LK))
((NARRATOR))
it missed a Wednesday deadline to submit a report to Congress on whether Israel is violating humanitarian law while using American arms.
((Radio: State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller))
((https://app.frame.io/projects/107d8a33-963a-48f0-9001-585725df7d34/832934b6-f711-4933-86c1-40268cc10c71 ))
((Matthew Miller, State Department Spokesperson))
“We continue to work to finalize the report, we expect to deliver it in the very near future.”
((Aftermath of strikes in Rafah, AFP V000_34R39PZ))
((NARRATOR))
Even as Israel moves into Rafah, negotiations continue to end hostilities along with the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, Washington.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 8, 2024 20:43 EDT
Byline
Patsy Widakuswara
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
