The US last week paused a bomb shipment for Israel over concerns it was going ahead with a major ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior US administration official said.
Israel has not “fully addressed” US concerns over humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, the official said.
An Israeli military official appeared to play down the US move.
The delayed arms shipment comes as US President Joe Biden faces mounting domestic pressure – from Democratic lawmakers and some parts of the US public – to rein in Israeli operations in Gaza amid rising civilian deaths and a worsening humanitarian situation.
Despite firm and vocal US opposition, Israel appears poised to mount a large-scale invasion of Rafah, a congested part of southern Gaza that is Hamas’ last major stronghold in the territory.
US officials have warned that an operation in the city – where the population has swelled with refugees from other parts of Gaza – could lead to extensive civilian casualties.
