US Reconsiders Military Aid To Israel

Because of the events in Rafah.

The US has suspended the supply of “high payload munitions” and is reviewing some short-term military aid to Israel because of the events in Rafah, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said at a hearing of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“We’re going to continue to do what’s necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself,” Austin said, according to ABC News. “But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.”

Austin also confirmed the suspension of the supply of “high payload munitions”. We are talking about a batch of large bombs, a source from the White House told the BBC earlier on condition of anonymity. According to him, Israel "did not fully take into account" US concerns about the humanitarian needs of the civilians in Rafah.

“As a result of an inspection last week, we suspended one delivery of weapons. It consists of 1,800 bombs of 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and 1,700 bombs of 500 pounds (225 kg), the source told the BBC. “We have not yet made a final decision on how to proceed with these deliveries.” According to him, "these bombs have high accuracy, up to several meters", but when they are used in a densely populated environment, such as the Gaza Strip, there is "collateral damage".

Delaying the delivery of bombs does not threaten immediate consequences, but it is likely to have an impact on future Israeli strikes quite soon, the BBC notes. The source from the White House added that the United States is considering future transfers of other types of weapons, including kits for JDAM air bombs.