US suspends bomb delivery to Israel due to Rafah concerns

The United States has made a bold move by pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns of a potential invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This decision, made by U.S. President Joe Biden, marks the first time in the conflict that military aid to Israel has been squeezed by the key U.S. ally.

The halt of the bomb shipment, which included 907 kg bombs and 226 kg bombs, came after Israel failed to fully address U.S. concerns about a possible major ground operation in Rafah. The White House has criticized the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and expressed hope for a ceasefire with Hamas.

This action by Biden is in line with a warning he gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April, stating that U.S. policy on Gaza would depend on how Israel treated civilians. The decision to pause the weapons shipment was made as it appeared Israel was on the brink of a major ground operation into Rafah, which the U.S. strongly opposes due to the large number of civilians in the area.

The U.S. State Department is still reviewing other weapons transfers, including precision bomb kits known as JDAMs. The move by Biden puts pressure on Israel to end the conflict and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Ceasefire talks involving Israel, Hamas, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have resumed, with hopes of closing the remaining gaps and reaching a resolution.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s attack on Israel in October, has resulted in a significant number of casualties on both sides. The U.S. administration’s decision to pause the bomb shipment reflects a strategic move to push for peace and protect civilian lives in the region.