President Biden recently paused an arms shipment to Israel in an effort to prevent U.S.-made weapons from being used in a potential assault on the city of Rafah. The shipment included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs that could have caused extensive civilian casualties in the city. This decision by Biden marked the first time he had used his power to limit arms transfers to influence Israel’s actions since a Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7. Many of Biden’s Democratic allies had been pushing for a halt to arms shipments to Israel in recent weeks due to concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.
Israeli officials disclosed the pause in weapons shipments to Axios, prompting U.S. officials to confirm the decision. The move reflected growing frustration among administration officials that Israeli leaders were not heeding warnings against a major operation in Rafah. The administration had been reviewing arms shipments upon receiving indications that Israel was considering an assault on the city. Biden’s initial stance was that Israel should not attack Rafah without a plan to minimize civilian casualties, but it became increasingly clear that such a plan was not feasible.
The situation escalated further when Israeli forces ordered the evacuation of 110,000 civilians from Rafah and launched airstrikes in response to Hamas rockets that killed Israeli soldiers. Israel stated that its entry into Rafah and seizure of the city’s border crossing were part of a limited operation to target Hamas fighters and infrastructure tied to the rocket attack. While these actions did not signal the start of a larger assault, they were intended to maintain pressure on Hamas as negotiations for a cease-fire took place in Cairo.
Despite withholding the bombs in question, the administration has not halted all weapons shipments to Israel. In fact, a recent approval by Congress allowed for $827 million in aid to be sent to Israel. The concern about the potential impact of the 2,000-pound bombs in a densely populated area like Rafah led to the decision to pause their delivery. Biden, while expressing continued support for Israel, emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish people and the right of Israel to exist as an independent state, even in times of disagreement.
The administration’s decision to withhold the arms shipment was a significant step in expressing disapproval of potential military actions in Rafah that could result in civilian casualties. It highlighted a growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem over the conduct of the war and demonstrated an effort by the U.S. to influence Israel’s approach through arms transfers. The confirmation of the pause in weapons shipments came after Israeli forces entered Rafah, indicating a possible escalation in the conflict.
Overall, the situation reflects the complex dynamics at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing support for Israel with concerns over civilian casualties. The decision to pause arms shipments was a strategic move to signal disapproval of potential military actions while maintaining overall support for Israel. As negotiations for a cease-fire continue, the administration will need to navigate delicate diplomatic waters to promote peace and stability in the region while addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
