Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported that a shipment of American weapons arrived in Israel, noting that the United States has not completely halted shipments, but has only delayed one shipment. Ravid stated that "the Americans did not stop weapons shipments to Israel, but they delayed one shipment that includes 3,500 bombs and it is still delayed at this moment." He added that the weapons shipments that have recently arrived in Israel were of a different type of weapons and munitions, and not the bombs that were suspended from transfer.
The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, approved a bill requiring President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, while also seeking to blame the Democratic president for delaying the shipment of bombs to pressure Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war in Gaza. The bill for supporting security assistance to Israel was approved with a majority of 224 votes in favor and 187 against, in a largely partisan vote. Sixteen Democrats joined most Republicans in voting yes, while three Republicans joined most Democrats in opposing the measure.
Although it is unlikely that the law will take effect, its approval reflects the deep divisions in the upcoming U.S. elections regarding policy towards Israel. Earlier, the White House informed Congress that it intends to send new weapons worth over a billion dollars to Israel. This comes despite U.S. opposition to a large-scale invasion by the Israeli army on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to The New York Times.
