The United States today said that it has paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.

According to the officials, the shipment was supposed to consist of 900-kilogram bombs and 225-kilogram bombs.

The pausing of the aid shipment is the most evident indication of the growing tension between Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the administration of President Joe Biden, which has called on Israel to do far more to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza.

This would be the first such delay since the Biden administration offered its “ironclad” support to Israel after Hamas’ 7th October attack. Washington is Israel’s closest ally and main weapons supplier.