The United States has announced that it will resume shipments of 500lb bombs to Israel, following a two-month pause due to concerns over their use in densely populated areas of Gaza.
The decision to resume the bomb shipments comes as Israel continues its military operations in the Gaza Strip, with leaflets being dropped in Gaza City instructing residents to seek shelter in safer areas.
The pause in the bomb shipments had caused a diplomatic spat between the US and Israel, with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing the pause in May, citing concerns over civilian casualties in the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had criticized the US position, saying it was “inconceivable” that weapons and ammunition had been withheld in recent months.
Following a visit to Washington in late June, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said progress had been made in resolving the issue, with obstacles being removed and bottlenecks addressed.
Despite the delay in bomb shipments, Israel has continued to receive other types of US weaponry, but the halt in supplying 2,000lb bombs is expected to remain a point of contention between the two allies.
The resumption of bomb shipments underscores the complex relationship between the US and Israel, as they navigate the ongoing conflict in the region.
