The US is unblocking bomb shipments to Israel, as reported by Axios. Find out what prompted this decision and what it means for US-Israel relations.
The US has made the decision to release a shipment of 1,800 bombs to Israel that was previously suspended due to concerns over destruction in the Gazan city of Rafah, Axios reported on Thursday.
Unnamed US and Israeli officials have stated that the administration of US President Joe Biden is prepared to send a batch of 500-pound (226kg) bombs that were put on hold in April. At that time, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cited Israel’s failure to heed warnings about launching a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians in that area.
Axios suggested that the unfreezing of the shipment indicates that the US is now less concerned about Israel using those bombs in Gaza, as it seeks to improve relations with its key Middle East ally. The bombs are expected to be delivered in two weeks, after Israel’s operation in Rafah is completed.
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US and Israeli officials are still in discussions about another part of the shipment, which includes 1,800 2,000-pound (900kg) bombs, the report said. Axios also noted that negotiations on releasing arms to Israel were delayed due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public criticisms of Washington on the matter.
On Friday, Reuters reported that since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the US has provided Israel with a total of 14,000 of the 2,000-pound bombs, 6,500 500-pound bombs, 3,000 Hellfire missiles, and other munitions. Washington has also sent $6.5 billion in security assistance since October 7.
The hostilities between Israel and the Gaza-based militant group Hamas have resulted in the deaths of more than 37,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis, as well as unprecedented destruction and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
