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Aides to President Biden have communicated to an Israeli delegation that includes defense minister Yoav Gallant that the US is maintaining a pause on a shipment of heavy bombs for Israel while the issue is under review.
This decision, confirmed by a senior US official, comes as discussions continue regarding the single shipment of powerful munitions paused by Biden in May due to concerns over more Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. Despite this pause, other US weapons will continue to be supplied to Israel as fears are growing that a war could break out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During his visit, Gallant said that Israel had the capability to “send them [Lebanon] back to the stone age.” Despite this, Gallant said Israel prefers a diplomatic solution.
Gallant’s visit to the United States came as tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden continue to grow, with Netanyahu publicly accusing Biden of withholding weapons, a claim that the Biden administration said is not true.
The White House has maintained that the US paused a shipment of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs in May due to concerns about their impact in Gaza. Despite this pause, Israel will still recieve billions of dollars worth of other US weaponry.