Biden Administration Pauses Weapons Shipment to Israel Amid Safety Concerns

The Biden administration has halted the shipment of weapons to Israel over concerns about the safety of US citizens in Gaza. The pause comes as negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue in Cairo.

The Biden administration has temporarily paused the shipment of weapons to Israel over concerns about the safety of US citizens in Gaza. The announcement was made on Friday, as negotiators from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire.

The shipments were part of a larger arms deal between the two countries, which has been in the works for several years. However, the administration decided to halt the deliveries after receiving reports of possible civilian casualties in Gaza.

"We have concerns about the safety of American citizens in Gaza," a senior administration official said. "We are pausing the shipments of munitions to Israel until we can assess the situation."

The official said that the administration was working with Israel to develop a plan to ensure that US weapons would not be used in a way that could harm civilians.

"We are committed to Israel's security and to the safety of American citizens," the official said. "We will continue to work with our partners to find a way to resolve this conflict."

The pause in weapons shipments is likely to be a blow to Israel, which has been relying on US weapons to defend itself against Hamas rockets. However, the administration's decision is in line with its broader policy of trying to de-escalate the conflict and protect civilians.

The Israeli government has expressed disappointment with the decision, but said that it understands the administration's concerns.

"We are disappointed by the decision to pause the sale of weapons," an Israeli government spokesman said. "However, we understand the administration's concerns and we will continue to work with them to find a way to resolve this conflict."

The pause in weapons shipments is the latest in a series of steps that the Biden administration has taken to try to end the conflict in Gaza. The administration has also sent a senior diplomat to the region and called for a ceasefire.

The conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of hundreds of people, most of them Palestinian civilians. The fighting began after Hamas fired rockets into Israel, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes against the group.

The international community has condemned the violence and called for a ceasefire. The UN Security Council has scheduled a meeting for Friday to discuss the situation.

The United States is Israel's closest ally and has provided the country with billions of dollars in military aid. However, the Biden administration has been critical of Israel's use of force in Gaza.

The administration has said that it is committed to Israel's security, but it also believes that Israel has a responsibility to protect civilians.

The pause in weapons shipments is a significant step by the Biden administration. It is a sign that the administration is serious about trying to end the conflict in Gaza and protect civilians.