The U.S. recently paused a shipment of bombs to Israel out of concerns that Israel was planning to launch a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S. The shipment was meant to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, with the larger explosives being the focus of U.S. concern due to their potential impact in a densely populated urban area. This move comes as part of a broader trend of growing differences between the U.S. and Israeli governments, particularly regarding the protection of civilians in Gaza.
The Biden administration has been reviewing military assistance to Israel since April, as the Israeli government appeared to be moving closer to an invasion of Rafah. The decision to pause the arms shipment was made last week, and no final decision has been made on whether to proceed with it at a later date. Despite the pause in the arms transfer, Biden reiterated his administration’s support for Israel, describing it as “ironclad, even when we disagree.” The recent decision to halt the arms shipment came as Israeli troops seized control of Gaza’s Rafah border crossing, in what the White House characterized as a limited operation aimed at preventing a full-scale invasion.
Israel’s recent actions in Rafah, including ordering the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians and carrying out targeted strikes on the city, have raised concerns in the White House. While publicly, administration officials have stressed that they do not believe Israel’s operations have defied Biden’s warnings against a widescale invasion, privately, there is mounting concern about the situation. The U.S. government is also considering the continued transfer of Joint Direct Attack Munition kits to Israel, which place precision guidance systems onto bombs, but this review does not pertain to imminent shipments.
The use of the 2,000-pound bomb has been a point of contention, as the U.S. has sparingly used it in its fight against the Islamic State, while Israel has frequently used it in the Gaza war. Experts believe the use of this weapon has contributed to the high casualty count in Gaza, with over 34,000 Palestinians reported dead. Despite the historical closeness of the U.S.-Israel relationship, there have been previous instances of tension, where U.S. leaders have threatened to hold up aid in order to influence Israeli actions. Past presidents, such as Eisenhower, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, have taken similar steps to pressure Israel in times of conflict.
Overall, the pause in the arms shipment to Israel underscores the growing differences between the U.S. and Israeli governments regarding military actions in Gaza and the protection of civilians. While Biden has publicly expressed support for Israel, his administration has taken steps to review military assistance and halt arms transfers amid concerns about the situation in Rafah. The U.S.-Israel relationship has a history of tension and moments of deep disagreement, and the current situation reflects a broader trend of shifting dynamics between the two allies.
