NNA - President Joe Biden decided to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel because Washington believes a possible Israeli offensive in the Gaza city of Rafah could put civilians at risk, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday.

Austin added that the administration was also reviewing some "near-term security assistance shipments" to Israel.

Austin was the first senior Biden administration official to publicly explain a possible shift in U.S. policy on arming Israel. The U.S. is Israel's biggest arms supplier.

Biden had pledged his complete support for Israel following Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on the country, and he sent Washington's closest Middle East ally weaponry worth billions of dollars.

Austin stressed that the U.S. commitment to Israel's defense remained "ironclad" and the decision on suspending the munitions shipment was not final.

Still, he said the U.S. prefers that "no major combat take place in Rafah" and that at a minimum any Israeli operation must safeguard civilian lives.--Reuters 

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