Biden puts hold on approved shipments of ammo to Israel

The Biden administration has halted a shipment of ammunition previously approved to aid Israel in its war efforts with Hamas.

This suspension of munition delivery is the first of its kind since the beginning of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas last October, when Hamas attacked Israel, murdering 1,200, and Israel launched a full-scale retaliation. According to two Israeli officials who spoke to Axios, the ammunition shipment was stopped last week.

The White House has yet to officially comment on the decision.

In April, Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic representatives issued a signed letter that called on Biden to halt the sale of weapons to Israel, even as they encourage munitions to be sent to Ukraine. The lawmakers called it "unjustifiable" to approve weapons transfers to Israel after an Israeli airstrike that inadvertently killed several humanitarian workers

This recent move comes amidst growing criticism within President Biden's own base regarding US support for Israel. As left-wing activists across the country have continually called for the US to withdraw its support from Israel, the Biden administration has appeared to soften its initial support for the Jewish state.

The timing of this decision also follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel last Wednesday. During his visit, Blinken held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential military operations in Gaza.

Netanyahu has recently signaled Israel's intention to launch an invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where there is a checkpoint between Gaza and Egypt that Egypt keep strictly controlled to prevent the flow of Palestinians into their nation. There have been ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the release of hostages, though Hamas has refused many of these attempts.

Blinken reportedly cautioned Netanyahu against a continued intensive in Rafah, warning that it could strain US-Israel relations and that the US would be forced to publicly disavow the decision.

Netanyahu, in a statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, seemed to hint at disappointment with what he perceives as a weakening of support for Israel by the Biden administration.

"In the terrible Holocaust, there were great world leaders who stood by idly; therefore, the first lesson of the Holocaust is: If we do not defend ourselves, nobody will defend us. And if we need to stand alone, we will stand alone," Netanyahu said.

Last February, the Biden administration requested assurances from Israel that any US-made weapons would be used in compliance with international law. Israel responded by providing a signed letter in March affirming its commitment to this standard.