The Biden administration is set to resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel, despite international calls against the move and ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. A US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that shipments of the bombs are underway after a two-month pause. However, the US will continue to withhold 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns about their use in densely populated areas like Rafah in southern Gaza.

“We’ve been clear that our concern has been on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs, particularly for Israel’s Rafah campaign which they have announced they are concluding,” the official said.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the shipment of 500-pound bombs is proceeding and expected to arrive in Israel within weeks. This comes after a previous pause on bomb shipments in May amid concerns about a potential Israeli ground assault on Rafah, where 1.5 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the US in June for withholding weapons and ammunition, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured him that restrictions would be lifted. Israeli minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant noted significant progress on the munitions supply issue during his latest visit to Washington.

The United Nations reports that about 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced since October, and the ongoing conflict has led to over 38,295 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and 88,241 injuries, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Despite international condemnation and a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, the conflict persists.

This decision underscores the ongoing US support for Israel, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian crises in the region.

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