According to a senior administration official, the Biden administration made the decision to temporarily halt the delivery of approximately 3,500 bombs to Israel. The concern behind this move was the potential use of these weapons in Rafah, where over one million civilians are seeking refuge and have limited options for relocation.
As part of a broader review of U.S. military aid to Israel that commenced last April, other weapon transfers from the U.S. to Israel, including the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, are currently under close examination, according to an official.
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During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged the reporting and publicly confirmed that the United States has temporarily halted a shipment of munitions. He also mentioned that the ongoing Israeli operation in Rafah might influence the U.S. decision regarding security assistance to Israel.
The first senior administration official has confirmed the temporary halt of military aid by the U.S. However, it should be noted that no final decision has been reached yet.
During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Austin assured lawmakers that the supplemental funding recently passed by Congress is secure, while also mentioning that they are currently assessing security assistance shipments in light of the ongoing events in Rafah.
“We have been consistently clear,” he stated, “right from the start, that Israel must not initiate a large-scale attack on Rafah without taking into consideration and safeguarding the lives of the civilians present in that area of conflict. Furthermore, as we evaluated the situation, we decided to halt the delivery of a consignment of highly potent munitions.”
Austin emphasized that the alliance between the United States and Israel is unwavering and strong.
The Biden administration has historically been hesitant to refrain from providing weapons to Israel, even in the face of policy disagreements. This is largely due to the fact that these contracts are typically long-term commitments, making it unlikely that withholding aid would have an immediate impact on Israeli policy decisions. Additionally, U.S. officials have expressed concerns that delaying future weapons shipments could potentially jeopardize Israel’s defense, which is a key strategic priority for the United States.
A senior administration official, who requested anonymity, revealed on Tuesday that the decision was made due to the inadequate resolution of concerns during U.S.-Israeli discussions about the humanitarian needs in Rafah.
According to the official, over half of the shipment that was halted last week comprised 2,000-pound bombs. The remaining 1,700 explosives were 500-pound bombs.
According to an official who spoke to ABC News, there is a specific emphasis on considering the potential consequences of using 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated urban areas, citing previous instances in different parts of Gaza. The official stated that a final decision on how to handle this shipment has not yet been made.
Multiple U.S. officials have confirmed the policy decision earlier on Tuesday. On the same day, Israel initiated a “precise” operation in Rafah, according to Israeli officials. However, U.S. officials do not perceive these operations as the initial phase of the larger-scale invasion that Israel has been strategizing for weeks. The timeline for this invasion remains uncertain, as stated by U.S. officials.
During a press briefing, the White House refrained from delving into the specifics but emphasized the United States’ overarching support for Israel.
“We want to emphasize that our dedication to ensuring Israel’s security is unwavering,” expressed John Kirby, the White House spokesperson. “While we typically do not disclose specific details regarding shipments, it is important to reiterate that our commitment to Israel’s security remains unchanged.”
Top GOP lawmakers wasted no time in criticizing the delay in approved arms shipments to Israel on Tuesday.
They accused him of breaking his promise to an American ally if the reports are true.
