U.S. halts ammunition shipment to Israel amid Gaza operation plans

Lloyd Austin confirmed reports about the ammunition supply suspension to Israel during a Senate Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations hearing. He linked the decision to Israel's announced plans to target Rafah, Hamas's stronghold, where over a million Palestinian civilians also reside.

"We've been very clear... from the very beginning that Israel shouldn't launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace. And again, as we have assessed the situation, we have paused one shipment of high payload munitions," Austin stated.

He further mentioned that his department is still evaluating this and other arms shipments in light of the Israeli operation in Rafah. "We've not made a final determination on how to proceed with that shipment," he said.

"If we stop weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the State of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price. This is obscene. It is absurd. Give Israel what they need to fight the war they can’t afford to lose," the senator urged.

Austin's statement marks the first official confirmation of a halt in military assistance to Israel. Reports of the suspension had previously emerged from anonymous sources, including Axios. According to those sources, the pause in the shipment was a precautionary measure by the American administration, concerned about the potential impact on the densely populated area of Rafah. The move was intended to serve as a caution to Israel and highlight the USA's serious stance on the issue.