White House reportedly looking into holding up weapons supplies to pressure Israel

Washington is weighing using weapons supplies as leverage to pressure Israel to reduce the intensity of its operations in the Gaza Strip, according to a Sunday report by US television network NBC.

Although no decisions have been made, the White House asked the Defense Department to review which weapons could be used as leverage on Israel, the report said, pointing at 155 mm artillery shells and JDAM kits to turn missiles into precision munitions.

The report cited three current US officials and a former official.

The White House did not issue an outright denial in its response to the report on Sunday, but said that there is no change in its Israel policy.

“Israel has a right and obligation to defend themselves against the threat of Hamas, while abiding by international humanitarian law and protecting civilian lives, and we remain committed to support Israel in its fight against Hamas,” a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said. “We have done so since October 7, and will continue to. There has not been a change in our policy.” READ MORE