One killed following Israeli targeting of motorcycle in Rafah
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has shared photos on X documenting how its members evacuated the body of “a martyr following the targeting of a motorcycle at the Abu Halawa junction in Rafah”.
Israeli forces attack ‘middle, western parts’ of Rafah
While the Israeli military claims it is carrying out only a limited operation in the eastern part of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reports that attacks have expanded to other parts of the overcrowded city.
“What we have been experiencing is mass destruction, lethal force being used on the ground against not only the eastern areas but also … in the middle and western parts [of Rafah],” including al-Mawasi, said Abu Azzoum, reporting from central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah.
Israeli forces had told Palestinians to flee to al-Mawasi, currently home to some 400,000 people, according to the UN.
“Bombardment there continued without any kind of letup,” Abu Azzoum said, adding that witnesses describe the streets in Rafah as “empty”.
‘We have what we need’ for Rafah invasion: Israeli army
Israel’s military says it has all the weapons it needs to launch its offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari was asked at a news conference whether the army can conduct the invasion without American arms. “The army has armaments for the missions it plans and for the missions in Rafah too. We have what we need,” he said.
Hagari spoke after Biden said he won’t supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah over safety concerns for hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians there.
Hagari said relations with the US remain close and disagreements should be resolved behind closed doors.
What weapons has the US delivered to Israel since October 7?
We have been reporting on the US delaying an arms shipment to Israel, but let’s take a look back at what deliveries have been completed since Israel began its war on Gaza.
The US Defense Department has publicly stated that it has sent Israel more than 50,000 M795 155mm artillery shells. These shells are effectively large bullets that are used in howitzer systems, which are towed large guns.
It also sent 30,000 M4 propelling charges for howitzers, as well as thousands of artillery shells and tank rounds.
The Biden administration doesn’t have to notify Congress of other military aid deliveries if they fall below a certain value. However, US media outlets have reported other military sales to Israel, including guidance kits for converting “dumb” bombs into GPS-guided munitions.
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) collated a list of some of the other weapon deliveries made by the US using public information and news reports available about the weapons delivered.
According to the FDD, the US delivered or leased:
- Air defence systems
- Precision-guided munitions (PGMs) artillery shells
- Two Iron Dome batteries
- Tamir interceptors precision-guided munitions
- Hellfire missiles used by drones
- 30mm cannon ammunition
- PVS-14 night vision devices
- Disposable shoulder-fired rockets
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