According to three U.S. officials who spoke to The Washington Post this week, the Biden administration approved the transfer of thousands more bombs to Israel on the same day that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claimed the lives of seven aid workers from the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen. Globally, this incident has drawn strong censure.
The approval was verified by a State Department representative, who added that it happened “prior” to the Israeli planes hitting the relief convoy.
The spokeswoman refused to answer when asked why the Biden administration did not temporarily halt the transfer procedure following the incident or until the Israeli probe was finished.
According to U.S. officials who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive arms deals, the State Department approved the transfer of more than 1,000 MK82 500-pound bombs, more than 1,000 small-diameter bombs, and fuses for MK80 bombs. These weapons were all obtained from authorizations granted by Congress several years prior to the start of the most recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The Biden administration has expressed public disapproval of Israel’s actions in the war with its unwavering backing for Israel’s armed forces. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that if Israel disregarded American demands on safeguarding civilians and allowing greater humanitarian aid, there will be repercussions following a phone conversation between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
“If we don’t witness the necessary changes, there will be adjustments in our policy,” said Blinken.
He did not say whether this would have an immediate effect on arms transfers from the United States.
For this report, the White House declined to comment.
