US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Tuesday that there is an ongoing pause on a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel. This decision comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressuring the Biden administration over the delay in receiving weapons.
The Biden administration is currently reviewing a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas like Rafah. Blinken emphasized that the administration is committed to ensuring Israel has the necessary resources to defend itself effectively.
The hold on the heavy bombs shipment was made public in early May during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This move was seen as a signal of President Biden's willingness to take action if Israel pursued a major military operation in Rafah.
Netanyahu, in a video statement, expressed his dissatisfaction with the delay in weapons delivery and claimed that the administration had been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel. However, Blinken did not confirm whether he made assurances to Netanyahu regarding the issue.
Despite the pause on the heavy bombs, the US has continued with other arms sales and transfers to Israel. In mid-May, the administration initiated a process for a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel, and key Democratic lawmakers recently approved an expected $18 billion sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.
US officials have defended their decision not to halt weapons transfers to Israel, stating that Israel's military operations in Rafah do not constitute major military actions. Blinken reiterated the US commitment to ensuring Israel's defense against various threats.
While the review of the heavy bombs shipment continues, the administration is working to address concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas, reflecting a delicate balance between supporting Israel's defense needs and minimizing civilian casualties.
