The United States plans to send Israel 500-pound bombs, part of a previously suspended weapons shipment, following the Israeli invasion of Gaza’s Rafah, according to a report.
On Thursday, the news website Axios cited one US and one Israeli official, revealing that the release of approximately 1,700 500-pound bombs was a key topic during this week's meeting between Israel's Minister of Military Affairs, Yoav Gallant, and senior White House officials.
"During the meetings in Washington, we were told that the 500-pound bombs will be released after the Rafah operation is over in two weeks," an Israeli official disclosed.
The shipment, including 2,000-pound bombs, was halted in May due to concerns about the invasion of Rafah. The city has become a refuge for more than half of Gaza’s 2.4 million population fleeing Israeli strikes elsewhere.
The US administration is still reviewing the shipment's other part, which includes 1,800 2,000-pound bombs.
Israel initiated the war on Gaza on October 7 following the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas's surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. This operation was a response to Israel’s prolonged campaign of violence and destruction against Palestinians.
Since the conflict began, the US has supplied Israel with over 10,000 tons of military equipment and has used its veto power to block United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The ongoing offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 37,765 Palestinians, with over 86,429 injured. Thousands are still missing and are presumed to be buried under rubble.
