Biden Administration Halts Bomb Shipment to Israel over Concerns of Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The United States has made the decision to halt the shipment of bombs to Israel, citing concerns about their potential use in an expected incursion into Rafah. An official from the Biden administration confirmed this news, stating that the shipment detained last week included 1,800 910-kilo bombs and 1,700 225-kilo bombs. The official emphasized that they are particularly focused on the end use of the bombs and the potential impact they could have in densely populated urban areas like Gaza.

The US opposes a large-scale offensive being planned by Israeli troops in Rafah and has made it clear that they will not support an attack without a plan to protect civilians and prevent an escalation of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Israel carried out what the US described as a “limited” operation in Rafah yesterday, seizing control of the border crossing with Egypt where humanitarian aid passes through. The State Department spokesperson noted that while this operation appears to be limited, much depends on what comes next as Israel has indicated its intent to conduct a major military operation in the area, which the US opposes.