WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S., a senior administration official said Tuesday. The shipment was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) bombs and 1,700 500-pound (225-kilogram) bombs, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, with the focus of U.S. concern being the larger explosives and how they could be used in a dense urban setting. More than 1 million civilians are sheltering in Rafah after evacuating other parts of Gaza amid Israel’s war on Hamas, which came after the militant group’s deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The U.S. has historically provided enormous amounts of military aid for Israel. That has only accelerated in the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel and led to about 250 being taken captive by militants. The pausing of the aid shipment is the most striking manifestation of the growing daylight between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza. |
Electrician, 55, filmed racially abusing Muslim women as they returned from a proPhish fans are famously dedicated. What happens when they enter the Sphere?Phish fans are famously dedicated. What happens when they enter the Sphere?Minnesota State Sen. Nicole Mitchell charged with firstTeresa Giudice, 51, of RHONJ poses with her miniPrince Louis birthday portrait taken by Kate Middleton is released on day he turns 6Pentagon set to send $1 billion in new military aid to Ukraine once bill clears Senate and BidenAnalysts: US missile deployment expected to assist Philippines’ defense — Radio Free AsiaTed Lasso star Keeley Hazell leaves little to the imagination as she shows off her curves in a fleshEpiphanny Prince retires from basketball after a 14