Washington [US], July 11: The US will resume sending 500 lb (230 kg) bombs to Israel, while continuing to suspend the supply of 2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs over concerns that the heavy bombs could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza.
The information came from an unnamed US official , according to The Guardian on July 11.
In May, the Biden administration halted the supply of 500-pound and 2,000-pound bombs to Israel to prevent their use in the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Washington is particularly concerned about the possibility that the Tel Aviv government could deploy a series of high-explosive bombs in the city of Rafah, at a time when this place is home to more than 1 million Palestinians.
A 2,000 lb bomb can penetrate thick concrete and metal, creating a blast with a wide radius.
US officials said the 500lb bombs were placed together with 2,000lb bombs in one shipment, and Washington had informed allies that it would soon send a smaller version.
In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US had stopped sending bombs to his country, and called on Washington officials to find a way to resolve the impasse.
It should be noted that the problem only involved one shipment of bombs, and Israel continues to receive weapons from the US.
Last month, Reuters reported that from October last year to the end of June this year, the US had transferred to Israel at least 14,000 MK-84 2,000-lb bombs, 6,500 500-lb bombs, 3,000 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, 1,000 bunker-buster bombs, 2,600 aircraft-use bombs and other ammunition.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper