In a recent development, the White House National Security Council (NSC) has reportedly decided to keep the decision to halt the supply of U.S. weapons to Israel for several days. The aim was to avoid public attention until after President Biden's public address for Holocaust Remembrance Day. U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that President Biden signed off on the pause in an order conveyed to the Pentagon last week.

The decision to halt the shipment, which was set to include 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, was driven by concerns regarding the potential use of the larger explosives in densely populated areas such as Rafah, a major Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip.

President Biden reiterated his stance in an interview with CNN, stating that he would halt some weapon shipments if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to order a major invasion of Rafah. This marks the first time Biden has expressed willingness to condition American weaponry on Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict.

The shipment review was initiated in April as Netanyahu's government appeared to be moving closer to an invasion of Rafah, despite opposition from the White House. While no final decision has been made yet on whether to proceed with the shipment at a later date, the NSC wanted to keep the decision quiet until they had a better understanding of Israel's military operations in Rafah.

The news of the halted transfer drew criticism from both Israeli officials and U.S. lawmakers. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, expressed disappointment and frustration over the decision, suggesting political pressure played a role. On the other hand, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Biden administration for not informing them about the military aid holdup, calling for swift action to end the blockade.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the delay, stating that the U.S. had paused one shipment of high payload munitions. He emphasized the need for the right kinds of weapons for the task at hand, highlighting the importance of precision in operations conducted in dense, built-up environments like Rafah.

The White House has faced pressure from various quarters, with critics on the right accusing President Biden of moderating his support for Israel, while some on the left argue for a more comprehensive reconsideration of U.S. military aid to the region.

While the decision to halt the weapons shipment is seen as largely symbolic, it may have wider implications if sustained. Observers interpret the move as a diplomatic message from the U.S. to Israel, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to factor in American interests more prominently.

The situation in Rafah remains tense, with Israeli forces carrying out targeted strikes and ordering the evacuation of approximately 100,000 Palestinians from the city. The State Department is separately reviewing the transfer of precision guidance systems for bombs to Israel, although this review does not pertain to imminent shipments.

As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on finding a balance between supporting Israel's defense needs while ensuring the protection of civilian lives in conflict zones.