US to unblock bomb shipments to Israel

The United States has decided to release a shipment of 1,800 bombs to Israel, which was suspended several months ago due to fears of destruction in the Gaza city of Rafah, Axios reported on Thursday. US President Joe Biden's administration is ready to deliver a batch of the 500-pound (226 kg) bombs it held in April, according to unnamed US and Israeli officials who spoke to the news outlet. Then-US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin cited the fact that Israel did not heed the warning “It should not launch a major attack on Rafah without considering and protecting the civilian population on that battlefield.” Axios argues that the thaw means the US is now less worried about Israel using the bombs in Gaza as it seeks to repair ties with its key Middle East ally, which have been strained since the start of Israel's war with Hamas in October last year. The bombs are due to be delivered in two weeks, after the end of Israel's operation in Rafah.