WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S., a senior administration official said Tuesday.
The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound (225-kilogram) bombs, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, with the focus of U.S. concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting. More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel’s war on Hamas, which came after the militant group’s deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
The U.S. has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid for Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants. The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.
Ukraine says it foiled Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskyy
Zheng Zhenxiang: A Life Dedicated to Archeology
Chinese Woman Inspires Generations with Revolutionary Stories
Body of last missing victim recovered from Baltimore Key Bridge collapse site
Rural Woman Painter Relishes Showing Her True Colors
Zhang Guimei: Helping Impoverished Girls Improve Education, Changing Their Fates
10 Outstanding Women Honored as National March 8th Red
China secures last four spots in Thomas & Uber Cup
Entrepreneur Hits Big with Embroidery
US service member shot and killed by Florida police identified by the Air Force
Erhu Virtuoso Showcases Chinese Culture, Music Charm at UN