James Myers of OAN
8:22am – Wednesday, May 8, 2024
The United States has suspended large shipments of offensive weapons to Israel, citing growing concerns about an Israeli military attack in Rafah.
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The decision follows President Joe Biden’s recent call for Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement in hopes of halting large-scale attacks on the Gaza Strip, which is occupied by more than 1 million Palestinians. It was held in the midst of
U.S. officials acknowledged Tuesday that at least one bomb shipment was delayed this week.
Officials said the arms shipment included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.
“The US position is that Israel should not launch a large-scale ground operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million people have been evacuated with nowhere else to go,” a senior US government official said on Tuesday. stated.
“We will discuss in the form of a strategic consultative group how Israel will respond to the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah and how it will act differently against Hamas than in other areas of Gaza. We have had dialogue with Israel.
“Those discussions are ongoing but do not fully address our concerns. As Israeli leaders appear to be nearing a decision point on such operations, we began carefully considering the transfer of certain weapons to Israel that could be used in Rafah. This began in April.
The Biden administration was “particularly focused” on halting Israel’s use of 2,000-pound bombs in attacks on Gaza because of their impact on urban areas.
Despite U.S. opposition, Israel has already launched an invasion of Rafah, considered Hamas’ last major stronghold in Gaza.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have warned that the operation in the city could result in heavy civilian casualties.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told a news conference that the United States has provided “unprecedented” security assistance since the war began. He added that disputes between the allies were resolved “indifferently behind closed doors.”
“We are responsible for the security interests of the State of Israel and are mindful of the interests of the United States in the region,” he said.
There were further Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, hours after Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side of the crucial Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt.
Rafah has been a key entry point for aid since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and is considered the only exit for people who can evacuate.
The Israeli military on Monday ordered thousands of civilians to begin evacuating near eastern Rafah ahead of an operation to remove and clear out Hamas fighters.
Israel has declared war on Hamas in response to the terrorist group’s attack on the Jewish state, which left more than 1,200 people dead and 252 taken hostage.
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