Biden Administration Halts Ammunition Shipments to Israel: Report

The Biden administration halted an ammunition shipment headed to Israel last week, Axios first reportedas pressure mounts over the promised invasion of Rafah in Gaza by the Israeli military.

Israeli authorities were left unsure why the shipment was held up, Axios reported, while CNN reported that the decision was not related to US opposition to the Rafah invasion.

The Biden administration has committed to strongly supporting Israel in its war against Hamas, signing $26 billion in military and humanitarian aid for the war last week, but officials have repeatedly warned against moving to Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are taking shelter from the war. .

The National Security Council said in a statement to The Hill that the Biden administration’s support for Israel has not changed.

“The United States has increased billions of dollars in security assistance to Israel since the October 7 attacks, approved the largest-ever supplemental appropriation for emergency assistance to Israel, led an unprecedented coalition to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, and will continue to do what is necessary to ensure that Israel can defend itself against the threats it faces,” an NSC spokesperson said.

The move also increases pressure on the ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as disagreements between the two sides increase following progress in talks earlier this week. CIA Director William Burns participated in negotiations Saturday, in Cairo, and will remain in the Middle East to work towards a diplomatic solution in the coming days.

An invasion of Rafah looms large over the conflict, with Israeli leaders saying a ground attack on the city is inevitable, while the UN warns that such an attack could cause catastrophic civilian casualties. The Biden administration has repeatedly urged Israel not to attack Rafah without a clear plan to avoid civilian casualties.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that an invasion of Rafah is likely, with or without a diplomatic agreement with Hamas or US support.

“In the terrible Holocaust, there were great world leaders who stood idly by; Therefore, the first lesson of the Holocaust is: if we do not defend ourselves, no one will defend us. And if we need to be alone, we will be alone,” he said.

Biden also faces criticism from Democrats who have pressed him for assurances that US-made munitions are being used in accordance with international law.

Federal law requires that military aid be used lawfully, although a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have pressed Biden to draw a stronger line on the issue, especially after the State Department determined last week that certain Israeli military units were involved. in serious human rights violations.