US to resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel: US official

WASHINGTON, July 11: President Joe Bidens administration will resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel but will continue to hold back on supplying 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their use in densely populated Gaza, a US official said on Wednesday.

The US in May paused a shipment of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs due to concern over the impact they could have in Gaza during the war that began with Hamas deadly Oct 7 cross-border raid.

The administrations particular concern had been use of such large bombs in Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had taken refuge.
"Weve been clear that our concern has been on the end-use of the 2,000-lb bombs, particularly for Israels Rafah campaign which they have announced they are concluding," a US official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.    —REUTERS