US to again ship 500-pound bombs to Israel, reversing suspension

WASHINGTON – The United States is resuming a shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel that had been held up since May, The Washington Post reported.

The paused delivery included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs, which remain on hold, US officials said. But the supply of 1,700 500-pound bombs will move forward.

The US decision followed a pressure campaign by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and pro-Israel lobbyists in the United States, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, demanding the resumption of all weapons shipments regardless of their lethality.