The United States has decided to resume sending 500-pound bombs to Israel but will continue to withhold shipments of more powerful 2,000-pound bombs. This decision stems from concerns that Israel might use these larger bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza, which could cause significant harm.
In May, the US paused a shipment that included both 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs due to worries about their potential use during Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah, where many Palestinian civilians sought refuge. The larger 2,000-pound bombs have a wider blast radius of 35 meters (115 feet), compared to 20 meters (65 feet) for the 500-pound bombs.
A US official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that their main concern was the use of the 2,000-pound bombs in Rafah and other parts of Gaza. As a result, only the 500-pound bombs will be released to Israel for now.
Despite these concerns, Israel has been receiving various types of US weapons continuously. From the beginning of Israel’s operations in Gaza in October to the end of June, the US had already transferred a substantial amount of munitions, including 2,000-pound bombs, missiles, bunker-buster munitions, small-diameter bombs, and other types of weaponry.
The Biden administration’s decision to restrict the 2,000-pound bombs while allowing the smaller ones to proceed is expected to draw criticism regarding its support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously criticized the US for withholding weapons, which the Biden administration refuted, expressing disappointment over Netanyahu’s statements.
Despite ongoing international scrutiny and calls for restraint, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to significant casualties and destruction. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 38,000, with the region facing severe humanitarian crises such as food shortages and disease outbreaks.
