U.S. Puts on Hold Ammunition Supply to Israel Amid Rafah Invasion Concerns

The U.S. government has put a hold on a shipment of  ammunition to Israel over concerns that Israel will invade the Rafah enclave in Gaza where more than a million Palestinian refugees are taking shelter.

The incident raised concerns inside the Israeli government as to why the shipment was held, Israeli officials told Axios publication.

Israel is heavily dependent upon the U.S. to  provide ammunition such as air-to-ground bombs and artillery projectiles which are being used in the Gaza assault.

The U.S. has been pressuring Israel to enter into a truce with Hamas to stop Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza that has left some 35000 Palestinians killed and over 70,000 wounded.

President Biden is facing criticism among Americans who oppose his support of Israel. A recent pool said 38 per cent of Americans feel their country is providing too much military support to Israel.

The Biden administration is concerned Israel will invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah where more than one million displaced Palestinians have been taking shelter. Israel has been amassing its forces near Rafah in recent days and an invasion is imminent, various reports say.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released several statements in recents days saying he intended to order an invasion of Rafah regardless of whether Israel and Hamas reach a deal for the release of hostages being held in Gaza and a ceasefire.

Last week when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel he reportedly told Prime Minister

Netanyahu  that a major military operation in Rafah would lead to the U.S. publicly opposing it and would negatively impact U.S.-Israel relations.

A day later White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Israeli leaders understand that President Biden "is sincere" when he talks about the possibility of changes to U.S. policy regarding the Gaza war "should they move ahead with some sort of ground operation in Rafah that doesn't take into account the refugees."