The U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted a previous restriction on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a decision that directly counters efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

In a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday, Trump announced that he had authorized the release of weapons previously held back under Biden’s administration. “A lot of things that were ordered and paid for by Israel, but have not been sent by Biden, are now on their way!” Trump declared. Speaking later to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “They’ve been waiting for them for a long time ... and we released them today to Israel.”

In May, then-President Biden halted the delivery of large munitions to Israel in an effort to prevent further civilian casualties in Gaza, particularly in the southern city of Rafah. At the time, Biden cited concerns over Israel’s military tactics, which had resulted in widespread destruction and the displacement of over 1 million Palestinians.

“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers,” Biden told CNN at the time. He warned that he would not supply weapons historically used against densely populated areas, adding, “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah ... I’m not supplying the weapons.”

Despite Biden’s pause on the 2,000-pound bombs, a shipment of 1,700 500-pound bombs was delivered to Israel weeks later, highlighting the persistent U.S. military support for its ally even amid mounting civilian casualties.

Trump’s decision to expedite the weapons delivery comes just five days into his new term, amid a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire has paused fighting temporarily and facilitated the release of some hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

While Trump has celebrated the ceasefire as a diplomatic achievement, the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume its military offensive if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages. Such threats, coupled with the newly authorized bomb shipments, have raised alarms over the potential for renewed violence.

Human rights advocates and pro-Palestinian groups have condemned Trump’s move, warning that the delivery of such devastating munitions risks exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The densely populated enclave has already endured extensive destruction from Israeli airstrikes, which have targeted residential areas, hospitals, and schools, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

As negotiations for a longer-term resolution remain stalled, Trump’s actions risk undermining international efforts to stabilize the region and address the root causes of the conflict. Critics argue that prioritizing arms transfers over humanitarian concerns further diminishes the prospects for a just and lasting peace in Palestine. The international community, especially those advocating for Palestinian rights, express deep concern over this development, fearing that it could lead to further displacement, suffering, and loss of life among the Palestinian population. As negotiations for a more comprehensive peace remain in limbo, the decision by Trump to release these heavy munitions to Israel is seen by many as a setback for peace and a direct threat to the lives of civilians in Gaza.

This action not only undermines the efforts to protect civilian lives but also casts a long shadow over the prospects of achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. (ILKHA)