Trump lifts Biden’s hold on bomb delivery to Israel despite genocide allegation

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Donald Trump speaks to members of the media while traveling to Iowa at Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois, on March 13.Photographer: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has directed the U.S. military to release a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, reversing a hold imposed by Democratic predecessor Joe Biden.

“They paid for them, and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time,” Trump stated aboard Air Force One.

The hold was originally placed by Biden over concerns about the bombs’ impact on civilians, particularly in Gaza’s Rafah region, during Israel’s ongoing military operations.

The bombs, capable of penetrating thick concrete and causing extensive destruction, had been withheld from a shipment sent after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Biden’s decision to pause their delivery aimed to mitigate civilian casualties amid criticism of Washington’s support for Israel.

Trump’s decision to release the munitions aligns with his claims on the Truth Social platform where he said: “A lot of things that were ordered and paid for by Israel… are now on their way!”

Washington has faced backlash from human rights advocates and protesters demanding an arms embargo due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Over 47,000 deaths and widespread displacement in Gaza have prompted allegations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.

So far, a Gaza ceasefire in effect for a week has facilitated hostage exchanges and slightly eased hostilities.

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