Reports have surfaced claiming the Biden Administration has put a halt on weapons destined for Israel, marking the first time the U.S. has paused an arms-related shipment to Israel since October 7.
Axios originally reported on the news, saying two Israeli officials informed them the shipment was paused last week. According to the same source, the halt “raised serious concerns inside the Israeli government.”
The White House has denied to comment on the news. However, the move coincides with Israel’s latest notice for Palestinians to evacuate Rafah, where over a million people have been forcibly displaced.
On May 1, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Israel where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The pair are said to have had a “tough conversation regarding a possible Israeli operation in Rafah,” Axios said, quoting its sources.
In the meeting, Blinken mentioned the U.S. would publicly oppose a “major military operation” in Rafah, and that the incident would negatively impact bilateral relations.
U.S. representatives have said the nation´s policy towards Israel is unchanged. In April, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a 26 billion-dollar foreign aid bill including 15 billion dollars in military aid to Israel.
Israel´s Prime Minister has made several statements over the past few days, stating his decision to go ahead with the invasion of Rafah regardless of the hostage deal.
On May 2, two days after the meeting between Blinken and Netanyahu took place, U.S. Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing that: “Every day that goes by without a ceasefire right now is on Hamas.”