US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that they are evaluating the issue of weapons that will soon be sent to Israel as part of the comprehensive ground attack on Rafah, and that they have suspended the shipment of some weapons while this phase continues.

This came during the budget discussions he attended in the US Senate, on Wednesday.

Austin said that they do not want Israel to launch a comprehensive ground attack on Rafah, and that they conveyed clear messages about this issue to their interlocutors in Tel Aviv, and that they are closely monitoring developments in the region.

Austin said: “We will continue to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself. But we are currently evaluating security support shipments that will be sent (to Israel) in the near future in the context of developments in Rafah, and while we are evaluating the current situation, we have stopped a shipment containing a large quantity.” of ammunition.

Austin pointed out that the situation of more than 1.5 million Palestinian civilians in Rafah is very difficult, and said: "We certainly do not want to see a major conflict in Rafah."

Austin said that the evaluation process regarding continued arms shipments to Israel is continuing.

Regarding the pending shipment, Austin explained: “We have not reached a final decision on this matter.”

American media, quoting some unnamed American officials, said that the United States had temporarily stopped shipping some weapons to Israel, as part of the developments in Rafah.

On Tuesday morning, Israel announced the invasion of the Palestinian side of the Rafah land crossing between Gaza and Egypt, as part of what is claimed to be a “limited scope” operation that has been continuing in Rafah since Monday, including ground incursions and air strikes.

The Israeli army announced "operational control" over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, hours after Hamas announced its approval of the mediators' proposal for a ceasefire and exchange of prisoners and detainees.