US Halts Ammunition Shipments to Israel: First Report Since Hamas Conflict

Media outlets reported that the US government halted the shipment of ammunition to Israel last week. This is reportedly the first such action since the conflict between the Islamic militant group Hamas and Israel began in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year.

The US news site Axios reported on May 5 (local time), citing multiple Israeli officials, that the US had halted the shipment of ammunition to Israel last week. It added that the decision has caused serious concerns within the Israeli government.

This is the first time the US has halted the supply of weapons and ammunition to Israel since the start of the fighting with Hamas, and it appears to be a result of domestic and international criticism of the Biden administration's military support for Israel. In fact, the Biden administration urged Israel to comply with international law and minimize civilian casualties when it used force in the Gaza Strip in February this year.

Meanwhile, the Netanyahu Israeli regime is maintaining its posture to advance into the Rafah area in southern Gaza to eradicate Hamas, regardless of the outcome of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. However, the Biden administration has clearly stated its opposition to an attack on Rafah that would inevitably result in civilian casualties.

Experts assessed that this decision by the US was made despite its 'special relationship' with Israel, and that it was an inevitable measure to comply with international law, given that both sides are accused of war crimes. Some Arab countries have also pointed out that the Biden administration is applying a 'double standard' in this situation compared to its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.