Biden's controversial decision: resumes sending bombs to Israel

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has given the green light to resume sending 225-kilogram bombs to Israel, intended to be used in the war in Gaza. This decision contrasts with the veto imposed by the U.S. administration in May of this year on the delivery of 900-kilogram bombs to Israel, after they were used in attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians in Gaza. At that time, Biden argued that the aim of stopping the supply of larger bombs was to protect the civilian population, stating that he would not allow them to be used to attack cities like Rafah. However, the recent authorization for the shipment of the smaller bombs has raised questions about the reasons behind this decision. According to reports from The Washington Post, the 900-kilogram bombs were used in a bombing of the Yabalia refugee camp in October, causing civilian deaths and massive destruction of buildings. These projectiles have immense destructive power, creating large craters and spreading deadly shrapnel hundreds of meters from the point of impact. On the other hand, the 225-kilogram bombs, while still high-caliber weaponry, seem to be considered less risky for the civilian population in Gaza. An official consulted by The Wall Street Journal stated that the shipment of these bombs had not been made previously due to logistical reasons and not due to a specific veto. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the U.S. withholding weapons, hinting that this was slowing down the Israeli offensive in Rafah. Netanyahu requested support for weapons in order to conclude military operations more expeditiously. This situation poses an ethical and political dilemma for the United States, which has been a longstanding ally of Israel and has provided significant support in terms of military aid. Since World War II, the United States has granted Israel a considerable amount of financial and military assistance, becoming one of the main arms suppliers to the Middle Eastern country. The resumption of sending 225-kilogram bombs to Israel amid the conflict in Gaza raises questions about the United States' stance regarding the use of weaponry in densely populated areas. While the smaller bombs may be considered less lethal compared to larger ones, their use in a context like Gaza remains a cause for concern due to the risk of collateral damage and civilian losses. Experts consulted by CNN have confirmed that one of the bombs recently used by Israel in an attack in Gaza is the GBU-39, a high-precision munition designed to target strategic objectives with minimal collateral damage. However, the use of any type of ammunition in densely populated areas always carries risks of causing civilian casualties, as has been the case in the Gaza conflict. In light of this situation, the international community remains attentive to the evolution of events in the Middle East and to decisions that may influence the development of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resumption of arms shipments to Israel by the United States poses a moral and strategic challenge, in a context where the protection of the civilian population should be a priority for all parties involved in the conflict.