The United States has suspended sending bombs to Israel due to the possibility of an attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah, in the extreme south of the Gaza Strip, authorities told reporters. Reuters this Wednesday (8). The city, which is one of the last refuges for civilians, became the target of Israeli military operations last Tuesday (7).
According to the news agency, the Americans, allies of Israel, want to avoid an invasion in Rafah, amid the possibility of a breakthrough in the ceasefire proposal being negotiated in Egypt.
Israel threatened to launch a major attack on Rafah to defeat Hamas fighters believed to be hiding in the city. However, allied countries and the United Nations warned that a large-scale attack on the city would be a humanitarian catastrophe.
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White House sources stated that a shipment of 1,800 907 kg bombs and 1,700 226 kg bombs had their shipment interrupted and there is no decision on resuming shipment. But blocking aid does not extend to financial support.
Recently, the American Congress approved a US$26 billion package to support Israel. This money must be sent.
On Tuesday, Hamas said it was fighting Israeli forces in eastern Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from attacks in other cities. Around 10,000 Palestinians have already left Rafah since Monday (6), said Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
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Israeli tanks crossed the Rafah crossing on the border between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday, cutting off an aid route and the only way to evacuate injured patients. This Wednesday, the site remains closed, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, but Israel said it would reopen the other crossing in southern Gaza, Kerem Shalom, through which aid could be delivered.
(With international agencies)
Tags: suspends bomb shipments Israel prevent larger attacks Rafah
