The United States has reportedly suspended the shipment of bombs to Israel last week, as an undisclosed official from the White House expressed concerns about a potential ground operation in Rafah.
The US President Joe Biden’s administration called for a pause in a bomb delivery to Israel, which comprised of 1,800 2,000lb (907kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs.
Despite Biden and US unwavering support to Israel, the White House officials said the pause in development was due to the unresolved issues of the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, southern Gaza.
Israel has not "fully addressed" the US concerns on the plight of the people of Rafah, as stated by the official to BBC.
On Tuesday, reports indicated that Israel has deployed tanks to Rafah to initiate a significant ground operation and captured key crossing areas, despite Hamas accepting ceasefire agreements brokered in Egypt.
Recall that there were further Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip overnight, shortly after Israeli forces, with tank support, captured the key Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt.
Around Rafah, the Israeli bombardment has been notably intense, with local medics claiming that seven members of one family were killed in a single overnight strike.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last October, Rafah has been a crucial entry point for aid and the sole exit for those able to escape.
Tens of thousands of civilians in Rafah city were ordered by the Israeli military on Monday to evacuate nearby eastern areas, in anticipation of a “limited” operation to eliminate Hamas fighters and dismantle infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the focus remains on reaching a ceasefire, while also working towards the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Due to resume negotiations through mediators are delegations from Israel and Hamas in Cairo.
