Last week, the United States temporarily halted a shipment of bombs destined for Israel due to concerns that Israel was preparing for a significant ground operation in Rafah, southern Gaza. An official from the US administration revealed that the shipment included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, as reported by CBS News, a media partner of the BBC in the US.

The decision to pause the shipment was prompted by worries that Israel had not adequately addressed humanitarian concerns regarding civilians in Rafah. The US official highlighted that Israel had not fully responded to US inquiries about the welfare of civilians in the area.

Israel did not immediately comment on this development. However, Israeli forces, supported by tanks, recently seized control of the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border. Subsequently, there were additional Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, particularly intense around Rafah, resulting in casualties including members of a single family.

Rafah has been a critical entry point for aid and the sole exit route for those seeking to escape the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October. The Israeli military instructed tens of thousands of civilians to evacuate parts of eastern Rafah ahead of what was described as a "limited" operation aimed at targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire, coupled with negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, are ongoing. In Cairo, Israel and Hamas are expected to resume talks through mediators.

The US administration has consistently opposed a major Israeli ground operation in Rafah, a densely populated area hosting over a million displaced individuals. The official emphasized ongoing discussions with Israel to address humanitarian needs in Rafah and to modify operational strategies against Hamas in this region.

Regarding weapons transfers, the US has temporarily paused specific shipments, such as 2,000-pound bombs, due to concerns about their potential impact in densely populated urban settings like Rafah. However, a final decision on these shipments has not been made.

The official clarified that these actions are unrelated to a recent $17 billion military aid package and are funded from previously allocated resources. Since October, more than 34,780 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza due to the conflict, according to the territory's health ministry.