The Biden administration has halted a shipment of US-made ammunition to Israel, as per a source familiar with the situation. The reason behind the decision has not been disclosed. However, it’s clarified that this hold is not linked to any potential Israeli operation in Rafah and does not impact other shipments in progress.
When questioned about the paused shipment, a spokesperson from the National Security Council emphasized the ongoing security assistance to Israel. They highlighted the substantial support provided by the United States to Israel in response to recent attacks and reiterated the commitment to ensuring Israel’s ability to defend itself against threats.
Initial reports of the halted ammunition shipment were first made by Axios.
President Biden (Credits: Common Dreams)
US officials have reiterated that there has been no shift in policy towards Israel. Last month, President Biden signed a foreign aid bill allocating $26 billion for the Israel-Hamas conflict, including remarkable aid for Israeli military and humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
Despite this, concerns persist among US officials regarding a potential Israeli operation in Rafah, where a large number of Palestinians have sought refuge.
Currently, negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal in the Israel-Hamas conflict are ongoing. Over the weekend, talks in Cairo showed signs of progress, but both sides continue to blame each other for stalled negotiations.
CIA Director Bill Burns, who was involved in the ceasefire talks in Cairo, traveled to Doha to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Although his initial plans included a visit to Israel, Burns extended his stay in Doha. The reasons behind this extension remain unclear.
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu (Credits: The New Yorker)
Burns has been playing a crucial role as a mediator in the discussions involving Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar, focusing on securing the release of hostages held in Gaza alongside a temporary ceasefire.
Amongst these negotiations, efforts are being made to pressure Hamas to accept the proposed deal while preventing Israel from launching a ground offensive on Rafah, even with the possibility of a ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel could still enter Rafah to address the threat posed by Hamas.
