WASHINGTON. The United States and Israel, a senior administration official revealed that the U.S. recently halted a shipment of bombs destined for Israel. The decision, made last week, came amidst fears that Israel was on the verge of launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, against the advice of the U.S.
The shipment, which included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, was put on hold due to concerns over the potential use of these explosives in densely populated urban areas like Rafah, where over a million civilians are seeking shelter amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas.
The strained relationship between the U.S. and Israel has been exacerbated by recent events, including Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people and led to the capture of approximately 250 individuals by militants. President Joe Biden’s administration has been vocal in urging Israel to prioritize the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza.
This decision also coincides with the Biden administration’s impending assessment of whether Israeli airstrikes and aid restrictions in Gaza have violated international and U.S. laws designed to minimize civilian casualties in conflict zones. A negative verdict against Israel could intensify pressure on the Biden administration to reconsider its military support to Israel.
The halt in arms transfer follows a period of heightened scrutiny over Israel’s intentions regarding Rafah, with the Biden administration expressing opposition to a potential invasion despite months of disagreement with the Netanyahu government. Although the decision to pause the shipment has been made, no final determination has been reached regarding its eventual resumption.
While the U.S. has refrained from commenting on the halted transfer, President Biden reaffirmed America’s unwavering support for Israel, describing it as “ironclad, even when we disagree.”
On the ground, Israeli forces have undertaken what they term as “limited operations” in Rafah, including the seizure of the vital Rafah border crossing. Despite these actions, the White House maintains that these operations fall short of the full-scale invasion warned against by President Biden.
This incident underscores the complexity of the U.S.-Israel relationship, which has historically been characterized by close ties, albeit punctuated by moments of tension. Past U.S. administrations have resorted to similar measures, such as threats of sanctions and delays in aid, to influence Israeli policies in the region.
As the situation in Rafah continues to unfold, all eyes remain on Washington’s next steps and the implications for the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Israel.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
