White House pauses shipment of some weapons to Israel

Washington — The White House last week paused a shipment of weapons to Israel, as Israeli leaders neared a decision to launch an operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior administration official said Tuesday. 

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Wednesday in testimony to Congress that "we've paused one shipment of high-payload munitions." Austin said the administration is reviewing some near-term security assistance to Israel in the context of unfolding events in Rafah. Several senators were upset about the delay, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who called the move "obscene" and "absurd."

Austin told the senators that a final decision has not been made on what to do with the shipment, but there are things the administration is looking at when it comes to Rafah. Austin said 2,000-pound bombs can cause a lot of collateral damage and the U.S. is looking to protect the civilians in the city.