Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the United States has temporarily paused a shipment of bombs to Israel, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. The pause is reportedly due to concerns over the potential use of these weapons in a densely populated urban area in Gaza, as Israel plans a military operation that could lead to a significant increase in civilian casualties.
During a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing, Austin revealed that the administration has halted one shipment of high-payload munitions. While no final decision on the fate of the shipment has been made, Austin emphasized the importance of protecting civilians in the event of major combat operations. “I think we’ve been very clear about the steps we’d like to see Israel take to account for and take care of those civilians before major combat takes place,” he said. However, he added that “We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with that shipment,” signaling that the White House could still approve shipping them in the future.
The shipment in question includes 2,000-pound and 500-pound weapons, which have characteristics matching the Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombs. The White House’s decision to pause these transfers follows serious deliberations about the ramifications of an Israeli offensive in the Rafah area of Gaza. Concerns have been raised that such an operation could lead to a devastating number of civilian casualties.
The Biden administration’s stance is a reflection of the broader review of U.S. military aid to Israel that began last April, and it represents a shift in policy for a nation that has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel. This development comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged residents in Rafah to evacuate the city and as negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire are in progress.
The U.S. has always maintained a strong alliance with Israel, emphasizing a commitment to its defense. However, the potential for the planned offensive in Rafah to result in massive civilian casualties has prompted a reevaluation of the situation.
According to a senior administration official, the pause is a “shot across the bow,” meant to highlight the seriousness of Washington’s concerns. “Israel should not launch a major ground operation in Rafah, where more than a million people are sheltering with nowhere else to go,” the official noted, emphasizing the potential impact of the 2,000-pound bombs in urban settings.
Defense officials have not made any final decisions yet, and the shipments under review come from previously appropriated funds. The administration ensures that Israel will receive every dollar appropriated in supplemental funding, including the $827 million in new future weapons and equipment approved through Foreign Military Financing.
The temporary halt has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers. For instance, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham expressed concern that withholding weapons could send the wrong signal in what he described as “the existential fight for the life of the Jewish state.”
Relevant articles:
– Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel, Breaking Defense, 05/09/2024
– U.S. paused shipment of thousands of bombs to Israel amid Rafah rift, The Washington Post, 05/08/2024
– Biden withheld bomb shipment to Israel out of fears it could be used in Rafah: Source, ABC News, 05/08/2024
– US paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says, The Associated Press, 05/08/2024
– TikTok sues federal government over free speech; U.S. pauses an Israel bomb shipment, NPR, 05/08/2024