A recent report seems to validate previous assertions that the Biden administration has refrained from providing weapons to Israel as a means to express disapproval towards Israel’s strategy of entering Rafah to eliminate Hamas militants. Earlier in the week, there were allegations in other media outlets regarding the U.S. withholding assistance. Israel refuted any delay, while the White House responded ambiguously to inquiries from journalists during a briefing on Monday.
Politico reported Tuesday that such claims were indeed correct, saying:
“The Biden administration is holding up shipments of two types of Boeing-made precision bombs to send a political message to Israel, according to a U.S. official and six other people with knowledge of the deliberations. The U.S. has yet to sign off on a pending sale of Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munitions — both the munitions and kits that convert them to smart weapons — and Small Diameter Bombs, according to six industry and congressional sources with knowledge of the discussions. The munitions were ready to be shipped to Israel when word of the hold came down, said one senior congressional aide and two other people familiar with the incident. A third person, an industry official, said the administration told Boeing to halt the shipment since the approval was held up for “political reasons,” and not because of supply chain strain.”
In 2019, Democrats impeached then-President Donald Trump for allegedly withholding security funds from Ukraine for political reasons, despite the funds being eventually delivered and no evidence of a “quid-pro-quo.” The Biden administration is currently withholding much-needed munitions during a “hot” war against a terrorist army and other terrorist groups on multiple fronts, as well as against attacks from their Iranian sponsors.
Recently, Biden authorized billions of dollars in new military aid to Israel, following an initial proposal for a supplemental aid package several months ago. However, the legislation was not actively pursued for months and was linked to other priorities, such as funds for Ukraine.
On Monday, Israel entered Rafah after Hamas attacked a humanitarian aid crossing and refused to negotiate terms for a hostage release deal. It is reported that the last four Hamas battalions, along with the remaining Israeli hostages, are located in Rafah.
