The Biden administration temporarily halted a shipment of bombs to Israel last week amid concerns that the country was considering a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, contrary to the preferences of the United States, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed on Wednesday.
The shipment included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to an anonymous official who discussed the sensitive situation. The U.S. raised concerns about the use of the larger explosives in a densely populated urban area like Rafah, where over 1 million civilians are taking refuge after leaving other parts of Gaza. The decision reflects ongoing U.S. apprehension about the potential civilian impact of military operations in the region.
