The United States has halted a shipment of bombs destined for Israel due to concerns about their potential use in a military operation in Rafah, according to a US official.
The shipment, which was delayed last week, includes 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds and 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds.
“We are particularly focused on the intended use of the 2,000-pound bombs and the potential impact they could have in densely populated urban areas, similar to what we have witnessed in other parts of Gaza,” the official stated.
According to reports, a shipment of ammunition to Israel had been paused, although the exact reason was unclear.
Israeli leaders have been warning for weeks about a possible incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, even as the US and others have publicly expressed opposition to such a ground operation.
The Biden administration has called for a comprehensive plan to safeguard over a million civilians seeking shelter in Rafah and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region.
On Monday, Israel conducted what the US described as a “limited” operation in Rafah, seizing control of the border crossing with Egypt, which serves as a crucial humanitarian aid route.
“This seems to be a limited operation, but its scope depends largely on what follows,” said State Department spokesman Matt Miller on Tuesday. “It’s no secret that they have expressed a desire to carry out a major military action there. We have clearly communicated our opposition to such a move.”
The US and Israel have been in frequent communication regarding Israeli military plans for a significant ground operation in southern Gaza, although the administration has emphasized that concrete plans have not been finalized.
“We’ve seen general concepts, but no detailed plans at this stage,” stated Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a press briefing on Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently argued that a ground operation in Rafah is necessary to exert pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages and achieve a decisive victory.
As Israel’s decision-makers moved closer to a final determination, the US initiated a review of proposed weapon transfers to Israel that could be utilized in Rafah, according to the US official.
The review process commenced in April and led to the suspension of shipments of the two types of bombs.
“We have not yet made a final decision on how to proceed with this shipment,” the official remarked.
2,000-pound bombs are among the largest conventional weapons in the US arsenal and can cause significant devastation, particularly in densely populated areas like Gaza.
These heavy munitions create massive craters upon impact and can scatter lethal shrapnel over a considerable distance.
Marc Garlasco, a former US defense intelligence analyst and UN war crimes investigator, remarked in December that the intensity of Israel’s initial bombardment in Gaza had not been witnessed since the Vietnam War.
The US is also evaluating potential sales or transfers of other munitions, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, to Israel, the official disclosed.
However, these transfers are not imminent and are expected to occur in the future, the official added.
“Our commitment to Israel’s security remains steadfast,” stated Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh during a briefing on Tuesday. “Since October 7, we have significantly increased security assistance to Israel. While I cannot provide further details, our dedication to Israel’s security remains unchanged.”
