According to a senior administration official who spoke to ABC News, the Biden administration made the decision to temporarily halt the delivery of approximately 3,500 bombs to Israel. The concern behind this move was the potential use of these weapons in Rafah, where over one million civilians are currently seeking shelter due to a lack of alternative options.
As part of a broader examination of U.S. military aid to Israel that commenced last April, other weapon transfers from the U.S. to Israel, such as the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, are receiving thorough scrutiny, according to the official.
The Biden administration’s decision to temporarily halt the shipment and potentially delay others is a significant policy shift. It marks the first instance of the U.S. denying military aid to its close ally since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Biden administration has previously hesitated to refrain from providing weapons to Israel, even in the face of policy disagreements. This is because the process of securing these contracts usually takes several years, and it is unlikely that withholding aid would have an immediate impact on Israeli policy decisions. Furthermore, U.S. officials have expressed concerns that delaying future weapons shipments could potentially jeopardize Israel’s defense, which is a crucial strategic priority for the United States.
A senior administration official, who preferred to remain anonymous while discussing a sensitive policy decision that had not yet been publicly announced, revealed that the reason behind the move was the unsatisfactory resolution of the U.S.-Israeli talks on the humanitarian needs in Rafah.
According to an official statement provided to ABC News, as Israeli leaders neared a decision on a potential operation, a thorough review was conducted on proposed transfers of specific weapons to Israel that could potentially be utilized in Rafah.
According to an official, over half of the shipment that was halted last week comprised of 2,000-pound bombs. The remaining 1,700 explosives were 500-pound bombs.
According to an official who spoke with ABC News, there is particular concern regarding the potential impact of the 2,000-lb bombs in densely populated urban areas, as evidenced in previous incidents in Gaza. The official emphasized that a final decision on how to handle this shipment has not yet been made.
The review process is still ongoing for other cases, including JDAM kits that allow for precise targeting of bombs.
According to multiple U.S. officials, the policy decision was confirmed earlier on Tuesday. On the same day, Israel initiated a “precise” operation in Rafah. However, the U.S. officials do not believe that these operations mark the start of a larger-scale invasion that Israel has been preparing for. The timeline for that remains uncertain, according to the officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the military operations in Rafah are both inevitable and necessary in order to eradicate Hamas.
During a press briefing, the White House chose not to delve into the details but rather emphasized the United States’ unwavering support for Israel.
According to White House spokesman John Kirby, the commitment to Israel’s security remains unwavering. He emphasized that discussing individual shipments is not a standard practice. However, he reiterated that there is no change in the commitment to Israel’s security.
Critics within the Democratic Party and other voters have expressed their disappointment with Biden, claiming that he is not taking sufficient action to prevent the increasing number of civilian casualties in Gaza. Conversely, Republicans continue to show unwavering support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Top Republican lawmakers wasted no time in expressing their criticism over the delayed delivery of arms to Israel, despite the fact that these shipments had already been approved by Congress.
“This goes against the wishes of Congress,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson, expressing his disapproval. “It’s a sneaky tactic to withhold assistance without any consequences. It’s subverting the original intentions of Congress.”
Republican Senators Jodi Ernst and Ted Budd expressed their shock and deep concern in a letter to President Biden. They addressed reports suggesting that the Biden administration had neglected to inform Congress prior to withholding ammunition from Israel.
They expressed their disappointment, stating, “If these reports are indeed accurate, it would mean that you have once again failed to uphold your promise to support an American ally.”
All of the shipments being reviewed are sourced from previously allocated funds and do not come from the most recent aid bill passed by Congress, as stated by a senior administration official.
“We are fully dedicated to ensuring that Israel receives every dollar allocated in the supplemental,” stated the official. They highlighted that an additional $827 million has been approved through Foreign Military Financing for future weapons and equipment for Israel.
According to Axios, there has been a delay in the shipment of ammunition from the U.S. to Israel.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to appear before a Senate panel on Wednesday, where he will probably face questions regarding U.S. policy.