US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the United States is pausing a shipment of “high-payload munitions” to Israel due to possible ground operations in Rafah without a plan for civilians in the southern Gaza city.
During a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing, Austin stated, “We’re going to continue to do what’s necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, but that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.”
Last week, the US had halted the shipment of 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds and 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds to Israel amid concerns over their potential use in a Rafah incursion.
Austin emphasized that Israel should not launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians in that area. He mentioned that a final decision has not been made regarding the weapons shipment and clarified that it was not part of the recent supplemental spending package passed by Congress, which included lethal aid for Ukraine and Israel.
During Austin’s statement, Code Pink protesters interrupted the hearing by shouting “Free Palestine” before being escorted out of the room.
