US Suspends Bomb Shipments To Israel Amidst Conflict Surge

• US halts shipment of bombs to Israel amid escalating conflict
• Decision made amidst concerns over civilian casualties and assault on Rafah
• Review of security assistance prompted by unfolding events in the region

Eko hot blog reports that As tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas, the United States has made the unprecedented move of hating a shipment of weapons to Israel, citing concerns over civilian casualties and the ongoing assault on the Palestinian city of Rafah.

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The suspension includes heavy bombs previously utilized by Israel in its offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza, a campaign that has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians.

Notably, this decision comes amidst objections from U.S. President Joe Biden regarding Israel’s military actions in Rafah.

According to U.S. officials, the paused shipment comprises 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, including Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-1).

These precision-guided munitions were intended to bolster Israel’s military capabilities but have now been delayed for at least two weeks.

Importantly, these bombs were part of a previously approved shipment to Israel and are not linked to the recent $95 billion supplemental aid package passed by the U.S. Congress in April.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the issue during a Senate hearing, stating that the U.S. is reassessing “near term security assistance” in light of the unfolding events in Rafah.

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Austin emphasized the importance of protecting civilians in the conflict zone, particularly the over one million Palestinian civilians seeking shelter in Rafah, many of whom have been displaced from other parts of Gaza.

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