By Mike Stone, Steve Holland and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has blocked certain arms shipments from Boeing to Israel, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, in what two of them said was a clear political message to the close U.S. ally.
The shipments, which have been delayed at least two weeks, involved Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munitions, which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided bombs, as well as small-bore bombs.
The sources did not elaborate on the political nature of the robberies. But they come as Washington is publicly pressuring Israel to delay its planned offensive in Rafah until the country takes steps to prevent civilian casualties.
The White House and Pentagon declined comment. The news of a delayed weapons delivery was first reported by Axios this weekend, and Politico first reported on Tuesday the types of delayed weapons and the reasoning behind them.
Without commenting on whether there had been a delay in arms deliveries, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security was “ironclad.”
But when asked about the gun control reports, she added: “Two things may be true, in terms of having those conversations, hard, direct conversations with our counterparts in Israel… to ensure that the lives of citizens are protected. …and getting that dedication.”
The Pentagon said Monday that no policy decision had been made to withhold weapons from Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
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Still, the delays appeared to be the first since the Biden administration offered its full support to Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 others, 133 of whom are believed to be captured in Gaza to sit. to Israeli parties.
Israel’s campaign to destroy Hamas has culminated in a seven-month military campaign that has killed a total of 34,789 Palestinians, most of them civilians, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
The conflict has also pushed many of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to the brink of starvation and sparked protests in the US demanding that universities and Biden withdraw support for Israel – including the supply of weapons.
A senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not confirm any specific delay in arms deliveries but appeared to take the reports to heart: “As the prime minister has already said, if we have to fight with our fingernails, then we will do what we have to do.
