President Biden has decided to halt the delivery of bombs to Israel to prevent their use in the attack on Rafah. The administration is holding back 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, with a review underway for future transfers. The United States is the primary weapons supplier to Israel, and shipments increased after the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks. The exact amount of weapons sent to Israel is unclear, but recent reports shed some light on the situation.
Since Oct. 7, the U.S. has sent a significant number of weapons to Israel, accelerating supplies already committed under contracts approved by Congress and the State Department. The flow of weapons has been described as extraordinary, with the Department of Defense sometimes struggling to find enough cargo aircraft for deliveries. Recent assistance includes precision-guided munitions, artillery ammunition, medical supplies, and other critical equipment, totaling billions of dollars in security aid.
Criticism has arisen regarding the lack of public information about these sales, with only two news releases from the Defense Department so far. The aid sent to Israel includes various artillery shells, propelling charges, and tank rounds. While some arms orders fall below the threshold for public disclosure, reports indicate over 100 separate foreign military sales to Israel since Oct. 7.
One notable sale approved in late October involves kits for converting unguided bombs into GPS-guided munitions, totaling $320 million. This is in addition to a previous order for the same guidance kits worth $403 million. The situation remains complex, with ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the arms transfers to Israel.