Starmer calls for 'immediate ceasefire' as Israel threatens Rafah offensive

US Pauses Weapon , Shipments to Israel , Over Rafah Invasion Concerns. Al Jazeera reports that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the United States will pause weapon shipments to Israel amid growing international pressure. Al Jazeera reports that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the United States will pause weapon shipments to Israel amid growing international pressure. While speaking before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Austin said that that Biden administration had already paused “one shipment of high payload munitions.”. While speaking before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Austin said that that Biden administration had already paused “one shipment of high payload munitions.”. The decision reportedly comes amid concerns about Israel's push to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah. We’ve been very clear … from the very beginning that Israel shouldn’t launch a major attack into Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians that are in that battlespace, Lloyd Austin, United States Defense Secretary, via Al Jazeera. We’ve not made a final determination on how to proceed with that shipment [of weapons], Lloyd Austin, United States Defense Secretary, via Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reports that the paused shipment included 1,800 bombs weighing approximately 2,000 lbs each, and another 1,700 bombs weighing about 500 lbs each. Al Jazeera reports that the paused shipment included 1,800 bombs weighing approximately 2,000 lbs each, and another 1,700 bombs weighing about 500 lbs each. Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed the administration's decision to pause the shipment, but stressed that it “must be a first step”. The US must now use ALL its leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, the end of the attacks on Rafah, and the immediate delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid to people living in desperation, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. The US must now use ALL its leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, the end of the attacks on Rafah, and the immediate delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid to people living in desperation, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. Our leverage is clear. Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, via Al Jazeera. The decision comes amid criticism of the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the war on Gaza, which already killed over 34,000 Palestinians. . The decision comes amid criticism of the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the war on Gaza, which already killed over 34,000 Palestinians.