Last week, the US halted a bomb shipment to Israel amid fears of a large-scale ground operation in southern Gaza's Rafah. The shipment included 1,800 2,000lb bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs. US officials say Israel hasn't adequately addressed humanitarian concerns for civilians in Rafah. Israel hasn't responded yet.
Israeli airstrikes continued overnight in the Gaza Strip, following Israeli forces securing control of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. The bombardment, concentrated around Rafah, resulted in the death of seven family members in a single strike, according to local medics. Rafah has been crucial for aid entry and the sole exit for fleeing individuals since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas last October. The Israeli military instructed tens of thousands of civilians to evacuate eastern parts of Rafah ahead of what it termed a "limited" operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure. Negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners are ongoing in Cairo, with delegations from Israel and Hamas set to resume talks through mediators.
The White House administration official stated that the US has been advising against a major ground operation in Rafah, where over a million people seek shelter with limited options. Discussions with Israel, focused on addressing humanitarian needs and adjusting tactics against Hamas in Rafah, are ongoing but haven't fully resolved concerns. Review of proposed weapon transfers began in April, prompted by Israeli considerations for such an operation.
