Amid ongoing efforts to broker a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the United States has sent a new shipment of bombs to Israel, according to information given to NBC News.
The weapons package, which had been approved for Israel years ago, includes over 1,800 Mark 84 (MK84) 2,000-pound bombs and approximately 500 Mark 82 (MK82) 500-pound bombs, as reported by The Washington Post.
Despite the Biden administration’s public frustration with Israel’s conduct in the conflict and its efforts to negotiate a cease-fire, the delivery of these bombs undermines those expressions. The Mark 84 and 82 bombs, while capable of being converted into precision-guided munitions, have the potential to cause significant civilian casualties, even with precision guidance.
Criticism of the U.S. continues to mount over its ongoing military assistance to Israel, totaling $3.8 billion annually. This comes as the conflict, which has been ongoing for nearly six months, has resulted in over 32,000 deaths in Gaza, with thousands more trapped under rubble and presumed dead, according to Palestinian officials.
Cease-fire negotiations, expected to resume between Israel and Hamas in Cairo, face challenges as Hamas officials have indicated they will not attend. The talks, aimed at securing the release of hostages and achieving a pause in fighting, have seen little progress since the last truce in November.
The United Nations Security Council recently passed a symbolic resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, with the U.S. abstaining from the vote, drawing anger from Israel. Meanwhile, the conflict’s toll on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and homes, continues to escalate.
In Gaza, the Al-Shifa Hospital has been the target of Israeli military activity, raising concerns about the safety of civilians seeking shelter there. The IDF claims the hospital is being used as a Hamas hub, but reports of civilian casualties cast doubt on the precision of these strikes.
The ongoing hostilities have also hindered humanitarian aid efforts, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza. Despite attempts to deliver aid, including a recent shipment of 400 tons of supplies, concerns about famine in northern Gaza persist, with the United Nations warning of a looming crisis.
