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President Biden halted an arms shipment to Israel in an effort to prevent the U.S.-made weapons from being used in a potential assault on the city of Rafah. This decision marks a growing divide between Washington and Jerusalem regarding the conduct of the ongoing conflict. The president withheld thousands of bombs out of concern that they could cause harm to over one million Gazans taking refuge in Rafah. While the administration is still considering future shipments, they have paused the delivery of these weapons for now.
Israeli officials confirmed the pause in weapons to Axios earlier this week, but U.S. officials only confirmed this on Tuesday night. The move reflects the frustration within the administration as Israeli actions in Rafah continue to escalate despite U.S. warnings against extensive civilian casualties. President Biden, during a Holocaust remembrance ceremony, affirmed his support for Israel, but did not mention the decision to withhold the bombs.
Tensions between the U.S. and Israel have been escalating, with President Biden urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to change course in their recent communications. The White House has also expressed concern over the closing of border crossings needed for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation. Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages are ongoing amidst the conflict.
The administration is still deliberating on whether to send these withheld weapons in the future, while also monitoring Israel’s compliance with U.S. and international law in their use of American-made weapons. The upcoming report from Secretary of State Blinken to Congress on this matter could potentially impact the level of support the U.S. provides to Israel in the conflict.
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