The United States government will allow a shipment of 500-pound bombs to be sent to Israel after the operation was halted more than two months ago, a U.S. official said.
The initial decision to halt the shipment of 900kg and 226kg bombs was due to US concerns about Israel using heavy munitions — specifically the larger 900kg bombs — in its operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
The delivery of a 900 kg bomb shipment remains on hold.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report that the 500-pound bomb load had been approved.
Pause in sending larger bombs
Previously, in an interview with CNN, President Joe Biden spoke about Israel’s use of 2,000-pound bombs days after the pause went into effect.
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a result of these bombs and other ways they go after population centers,” he said.
However, the US was not concerned about the use of the 500-pound bombs, but the shipments include several types of munitions. And that was the case in this situation, which resulted in a retention of both types of bombs, the source told the report.
“Because of how these shipments are assembled, other munitions can sometimes be mixed in. That is what happened here with the 500-pound bombs, as our main concern was — and remains — the potential use of 2,000-pound bombs in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza,” the official said.
“As our concern was not with the 500-pound bombs, they are moving forward as part of the usual process,” the source added.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
