US resumes arms shipments to Israel, including 500-pound bombs
The bombs are reportedly “in the process of shipping” and may arrive in Israel within the next few weeks.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), reported on Wednesday, that the United States will soon be shipping weapons and arms which the Biden administration had suspended.
This new shipment ends a pause of two months in the delivery of weapons.
In their report, WSJ notes that weapons include 500-pound Bombs, which the Biden Administration had previously suspended. The administration cited civilian casualties in Gaza.
According to the WSJ, bombs are “in the process of shipping” and should arrive in Israel within the next few weeks.
US officials have stated that, according to reports heavy bombs such as 2,000-pound bombs were still on hold.
The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday that the 500-pound bombs, which a US official claimed were “co-mingled,” with the shipment 2,000-pound-bombs held by Israel, are “moving along as part of the normal process.”
Officials confirm that shipment to Israel is a ‘part of the usual process’
The US official told The Post that “we’ve made it clear that we are concerned about the final use of the bombs weighing 2,000 lbs, especially in light of Israel’s Rafah Campaign which they announced was ending.” Because of the way these shipments are assembled, other munitions can sometimes be mixed in.
Officials said this is what happened to the 500-lb. bombs, since their main concern was “the potential use of 2,000 pound bombs in Rafah or elsewhere in Gaza.”
A spokesperson for the National Security Council told The Post that weapons shipments are moving as planned, except for the shipment of 2,000lb-bombs, which has been and will remain paused.
The spokesperson stated, “But we won’t get into details of every shipment.”
US President Joe Biden had initially blocked the shipment. It was a controversial issue between Israel and the US. According to N12 the approval of the shipment follows intensive diplomatic and negotiation efforts by Israel’s Defense Ministry. This includes the director general, head of planning division and Defense Minister who visited the United States recently to advocate for its release.
Defense Ministry actively advocates for the resumption of shipments
Last month, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and senior officials from the Biden Administration discussed the weapons pause. This was in response to a public insult by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who claimed that the US had withheld more than the 500-lb and 2,000 lb weapons.
Gallant refused in a meeting with journalists to reveal the details of his conversations about the weapons shipment that was withheld or Netanyahu’s claim that other arms and ammunition were withheld.
Gallant said that his meetings with Biden’s administration were very important. “Our relationship, our atmosphere, and how we communicate are all very important,” he added. “Any obstacles are discussed in private rooms. “I think this is a good way to work with friends and allies.”
US-Israeli relations were strained over the delayed shipment that was initially blocked by US president Joe Biden. According to N12 the approval of the shipment follows intensive diplomatic and negotiation efforts by Israel’s Defense Ministry. This includes the director general, head of planning division and Defense Minister who visited the United States recently to advocate for its release.
Since May, when the Biden Administration halted the transfer certain munitions because of concerns about their impact on densely populated Gaza areas. The 2,000-pound- and 500-pound-bombs were deemed to be the most likely to cause civilian casualties in operations against Hamas. The US continues to support Israel in other ways, such as with smaller munitions or air defenses.