By EFE
Republican leaders in the United States Congress questioned the commitment that Joe Biden’s Government claims to have with Israel, after the Pentagon stopped a shipment of weapons while analyzing the operation in the Palestinian enclave of Rafah.
“These pauses in critical arms shipments call into question whether your commitment to Israel’s security remains strong,” they stated in a letter addressed to Joe Biden, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, and the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell.
Opposition leaders demanded that the Government report on the analysis it is carrying out to define whether or not to send the weapons.
“The American people deserve to understand the nature, timing and scope of these reviews,” they stated in the letter.
They are studying the operation in Rafah
Pentagon chief General Lloyd Austin confirmed that the United States has withheld a planned shipment of weapons to Israel while it studies the operation in Rafah.
“We are currently reviewing some shipments of short-term security assistance in the context of the events unfolding in Rafah,” Austin said, during an appearance before a Senate subcommittee.
Austin wanted to make it clear that the United States Government “has not made a final determination on how to proceed with that shipment,” which has been withheld.
They will send high caliber ammunition
The Biden administration made the decision at a time when it appeared that Israel was about to launch a major ground operation in Rafah, which Washington has strongly opposed.
The weapons that will be sent consist of “high caliber ammunition.” It would apparently be a shipment with thousands of 2,000 and 500 pound bombs, and the United States is concerned about the collateral impact they may have when used in the Gaza Strip.
Keep reading:
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- Joe Biden confirmed that US support for Israel “is unwavering” despite disagreements
- Israel prohibits the passage of civilians and humanitarian aid after taking control of the Rafah crossing