The United States has suspended a weapons delivery to Israel due to concerns about an offensive on Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The decision was made because Washington opposes a large-scale offensive without a credible plan to protect civilians.
The delivery included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs. Discussions between Israeli and U.S. officials about alternatives to the offensive are ongoing, but as of now, they have not fully addressed U.S. concerns. The U.S. State Department is also reviewing other arms transfers, including precision bombs known as JDAMs.
Republican opponents, including the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, have criticized any measures that limit military aid to Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that Israel will defend itself regardless of international pressure.
Israeli army deployed tanks to Rafah and took control of the border crossing with Egypt, closing access points for humanitarian aid, prompting the U.S. to call these measures unacceptable. In response to these developments, ongoing discussions between Israeli and U
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