The White House condemned the interruption of humanitarian deliveries to Gaza, with a senior U.S. official later revealing Washington had paused a shipment of bombs last week after Israel failed to address concerns over its Rafah plans.

Washington

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

The United States government has temporarily halted a bomb shipment originally designated for Israel amid burgeoning concerns regarding the possible implications for the region of Rafah. This decision marks the U.S.'s first intervention concerning arms transfers to Israel since the recent escalation of tensions. The White House has explicitly condemned the disruption of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, emphasizing the importance of maintaining aid flows amidst the ongoing conflict.

A senior official from the U.S. revealed that the halted shipment was comprised of 3,500 bombs, with weights ranging from 225 to 900 kilograms (approximately 500 to 2,000 pounds). These munitions, due to their significant size, pose a particular risk in densely populated areas, raising concerns about their potential use in urban settings like Rafah. The official explained that the U.S. is scrutinizing the intended use of these high-yield bombs, especially given their dramatic impact in urban zones of Gaza.

The pause in military aid comes at a crucial moment as the Biden administration prepares to deliver an assessment on whether Israel's military actions, particularly airstrikes, have breached international and U.S. regulations designed to protect civilian populations. Additionally, the examination will determine if Israel has obstructed the flow of humanitarian support to Gaza, a factor that could influence President Joe Biden's stance on future arms transactions. Notably, Israel is the largest beneficiary of U.S. military assistance, with over $3.8 billion allocated in 2023 alone, alongside a component of the recently passed $95 billion U.S. national security bill, which includes more than $14 billion in support for Israel.

Despite affirming the 'ironclad' nature of U.S.-Israel relations, President Biden faces pressure as the situation develops, particularly in light of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that Israel is prepared to act independently if necessary. The ongoing military focus on Rafah's crossing and the sustained bombardment of the southern city, where over one million Palestinians seek refuge, underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.



U.S. pauses bomb shipments to Israel amid concerns over Rafah

A shipment of 3,500 bombs bound for Israel has been paused by the United States, in the government's first known curtail of arms to Israel since October 7. U.S. officials told reporters the shipment contained bombs ranging from 225 to 900 kilograms, or 2,000 pounds, the size of which can be catastrophic for civilians in densely populated areas. As Israeli leaders seem to approach a decision point on such an operation, we began to carefully review proposed transfers of particular weapons to Israel that might be used in Rafah. We are especially focused on the end use of the 2,000 pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings as we have seen in other parts of Gaza. The move also comes as the Biden administration is set to deliver a verdict this week on whether Israel's airstrikes have violated international and U.S. laws meant to spare civilians from the horrors of war. Under review is also whether Israel has acted to arbitrarily deny, restrict or impede U.S.-supported humanitarian aid to Gaza. The findings could further pressure U.S. President Joe Biden to slow or halt the flow of arms. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. security assistance, receiving more than $3.8 billion of military aid in 2023. Last month, the U.S. also passed a $95 billion national security bill that included more than $14 billion to Israel. Biden has described U.S. support for Israel as ironclad, even when they disagree. But as Israel's defense force bears down on the Rafah crossing, and bombs continue to strike the southern city where over one million Palestinians are sheltering, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said if Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Israel-Gaza War