Defense secretary says the administration is still considering what it will do with the shipment.
President Joe Biden’s administration paused a shipment of munitions that was headed to Israel because of that nation’s military operation to remove Hamas from Rafah. President Biden and other officials have withheld the arms since they have not received the information on how Israel intends to protect civilians in southern Gaza.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told legislators this week that the administration has not decided exactly how it will handle the military assistance, which was authorized under previous foreign aid appropriation rather than the more recent legislation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sent a letter to the president this week on the matter. They wrote, “We have not been able to obtain pertinent information from the Department of State or from the Department of Defense regarding the ongoing review. Israel faces an existential and multi-front threat… and daylight between the United States and Israel at this dangerous time risks emboldening Israel’s enemies and undermining the trust that other allies and partners have in the United States.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader McConnell as they seek answers from the president about the choice to pause congressionally mandated military aid.
- For the president, military and foreign advisors to receive God’s guidance regarding assistance for Israel in its fight against Hamas.
- For the peace of Jerusalem and prudence for Israeli officials as they seek to protect their country from terrorists.
Sources: VOA News, Speaker.gov
