US threatens to block more arms sales if Israeli assault on Rafah goes ahead

More than 100,000 Palestinians fled Rafah on 11 May after Israeli warnings to evacuate before an imminent military assault. Photograph: Hatem Khaled/Reuters

The US may block more weapons systems to Israel if it goes ahead with a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has said.

The US has already suspended the shipment of 3,500 2,000lb (907kg) and 500lb (227kg) high-payload bombs following concerns over the scale of civilian casualties in Israel’s war in the territory.