House Democrats push back on Israel arms pause

Amid concerns about an Israeli invasion of Rafah, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza, 26 House Democrats this week rejected President Biden’s decision to halt heavy bombing of Israel. is repulsed by

“We are deeply concerned that the administration is sending a message to Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations by withholding arms shipments to Israel at a critical time in the negotiations.” read the letteraddressed to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The letter was sent on the same day that the latest ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, ended without an agreement. Israel is asking Hamas to release the remaining approximately 130 hostages captured during the October 7 attack in exchange for a long cessation of fighting.

The letter was signed by House Democrats, including Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey), Jared Golden (Maine), Haley Stevens (Michigan), and Stephen Horsford (Nevada). This comes after the Biden administration announced this week that it would delay the bill. A shipment of approximately 3,500 bombs is planned, including his 2,000-pound heavy bombs and his lighter 500-pound bombs.

Biden warned earlier this week that he would halt the delivery of bombs, artillery shells and other offensive weapons to Israel if the Israeli military launches an invasion of Rafah.

“Civilians are being killed in Gaza by bombs and other means aimed at populated areas,” Biden told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Wednesday.

“If they go into Rafah, they haven’t gone into Rafah yet, but even if they go into Rafah, they have historically used to deal with Rafah, to deal with cities. “I’ve made it clear that I will not supply the weapons that have been used. I will address that issue,” Biden added.

“Seven months after October 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the end of the Holocaust, Iranian-backed terrorist proxies continue to attack Israelis and Americans from all directions,” the letter from House Democrats said. They continue to fire rockets and mortars at the area.”

“At the same time, anti-Semitism is spreading like wildfire around the world,” the letter continues. “We are concerned that public disputes with our key allies will only embolden our mutual enemies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian-backed proxies. It also strengthens their objectives of chaos, brutality, and hatred, making it even more difficult to achieve hostage agreements.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.