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The US paused shipment of 3,500 bombs over fears they would fuel killing in Rafah, it has emerged. Plus, Ukraine says it foiled Zelenskiy assassination plot
Good morning.
Israel has launched a major military offensive in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, where 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are sheltering – seizing control of a key border crossing and cutting off most aid into the territory a day before indirect talks on a ceasefire deal are due to restart.
What is the international community saying about an Israeli offensive in Rafah? The UN urged a ceasefire “to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families”. The UK said a Rafah offensive would break international law. Qatar called for “urgent international action to prevent the city from being invaded and a crime of genocide being committed”.
What are the details of the paused US weapons shipment? The US withheld about 3,500 bombs amid fears they would fuel killing in Rafah. Reuters quoted an anonymous US official saying they were especially concerned about “the 2,000lb bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings”.
How might Biden respond to Israel crossing his “red line” over invading Rafah? Biden has said a full-scale Israeli attack on Rafah is his “red line”. Now is the moment of truth. Israel looks likely to force Biden to choose between a historic rift with Israel or humiliating acquiescence to potential war crimes. We are liveblogging developments here.
What are the details of the assassination plot? One Ukrainian mole in March 2022 was instructed to find someone working in Zelenskiy’s immediate entourage who might kidnap and kill him.
What’s the latest in the conflict? Russia hit critical energy infrastructure in the Stryi district and a power generation facility in Chervonohrad district with missiles in western Ukraine on Wednesday, Lviv’s governor said. We are liveblogging here.
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