Biden Administration Releases Part of Withheld Bomb Shipment to Israel
In a move signaling a partial thaw in recent tensions, the Biden Administration has released approximately half of a previously withheld shipment of heavy bombs to Israel, a US official revealed to The Times of Israel on Wednesday. The decision comes after months of diplomatic negotiations and is seen as a measure of renewed trust in how the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) manage operations in conflict-heavy zones like Gaza.
In May, amid escalating conflict, the White House took the significant step of holding back a shipment containing 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs. This decision was underscored by President Joe Biden’s caution against a major Israeli offensive in Gaza’s densely populated southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians were sheltering.
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Israeli military adjustments and diplomatic engagements have since addressed the US administration’s concerns about potential mass civilian casualties, leading to a breakthrough in talks. According to an Israeli official, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s recent trip to Washington played a crucial role in easing the standoff, resulting in the release of the 1,700 500-pound bombs.
However, the relationship experienced a setback last month when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized the US for a broader perceived policy of withholding military support. This accusation was quickly countered by the Biden Administration, attributing delays in weapon transfers to bureaucratic rather than political reasons.
