US House Passes Bill Mandating Bomb Delivery to Israel

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring the delivery of 3,500 bombs to Israel, a significant rebuke to President Joe Biden's decision to pause the shipment amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The legislation, driven by Republican efforts to highlight Democratic divisions over the Israel-Hamas war, passed with a 224-187 vote, with 16 Democrats joining most Republicans in favor.

The Biden administration had halted the shipment, concerned about the use of such weapons in densely populated areas like the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This pause aimed to discourage Israel from escalating its offensive against Hamas, but it sparked outrage among Republicans who accused Biden of abandoning Israel, America's closest ally in the Middle East.

“We’re beyond frustrated,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. “I don’t think we should tell the Israelis how to conduct their military campaign, period.”

The House bill condemns Biden for pausing the bomb shipment and threatens to withhold funding for the State Department, Department of Defense, and National Security Council until the delivery is made. Despite the House's passage, the bill is unlikely to become law, as the Democratic-led Senate and Biden himself oppose it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “It’s not going anywhere.”

Republicans remained undeterred, aiming to build pressure on Biden and Schumer. “It is President Biden and Senator Schumer himself who are standing in the way of getting Israel the resources it desperately needs to defend itself,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The decision to hold the bomb shipment underscores growing differences between Biden’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Israel launched its offensive with the goal of dismantling Hamas and rescuing hostages taken during the group's October 7 attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 253 captives.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, over 35,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, although these figures are unverified and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel estimates it has killed around 15,000 terror operatives and an additional 1,000 terrorists during the October 7 incursion.

Within the Democratic Party, the bomb shipment pause has exposed deep divisions. Some moderates have expressed strong support for Israel, while progressives have criticized the administration’s continued military support, arguing it contributes to significant civilian casualties in Gaza.

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who had initially criticized the pause, opposed the House bill, arguing it was a politically motivated move that threatened national security programs. “It’s being done to score cheap political points,” she said.

As an alternative, Representative Michael McCaul introduced a bipartisan bill requiring the president to notify Congress before pausing the delivery of defensive weapons to Israel and allowing Congress to override such holds.

The broader debate reflects the complex and often contentious nature of US policy towards Israel, especially in the context of the Israel-Hamas war. Stay informed about significant international developments. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and share this article to spread the news.