U.S. Stops Bomb Shipment To Israel Amid Concerns For Rafah
The U.S. halted a shipment of bombs to Israel last week due to concerns regarding a potential large-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, diverging from the preferences of the U.S. government, as stated by a senior administration official on Tuesday.
By: Sulayman Touray
A shipment was set to include 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs from the U.S. to Isreal. The primary focus of U.S. apprehension revolved around the larger explosives and their potential impact in densely populated urban areas. With over a million civilians seeking refuge in Rafah after fleeing other parts of Gaza amidst the conflict with Hamas, these concerns are paramount.
While the U.S. has historically provided substantial military aid to Israel, the decision to halt this shipment highlights a growing rift between the Netanyahu government and the Biden administration. President Biden has emphasized the importance of Israel taking greater measures to protect innocent civilian lives in Gaza.
This development aligns with the Biden administration's impending evaluation of whether Israeli airstrikes and aid restrictions breach international and U.S. laws aimed at safeguarding civilians during conflicts. An adverse ruling could intensify pressure on Biden to curtail military assistance to Israel.
The Biden administration initiated a review of future military aid transfers in April, particularly as Netanyahu's government seemed to be moving closer to an invasion of Rafah despite opposition from the White House. Although the decision to suspend the shipment was made last week, a final determination on its resumption is pending.
Despite President Biden's reiterated pledge of steadfast U.S. support for Israel, the suspension of arms delivery raises questions. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that conflicting actions can coexist.
Israeli forces recently assumed control of Gaza's crucial Rafah border crossing in a limited operation, prompting concerns within the White House about the unfolding situation. However, officials emphasized their belief that the operations did not contravene Biden's warnings against a widespread offensive in the city.
While tensions between the U.S. and Israel are not without precedent, this episode adds to a history of strained moments, where U.S. leaders have wielded the threat of aid suspension to influence Israeli policies, underscoring the intricate nature of their relationship.
Update from original article:
Sulayman Touray
