A relentless bombing campaign in Lebanon by Israeli forces has reignited international demands for the United States to halt its military aid to Israel. As the death toll in Lebanon climbs to nearly 500, with thousands more wounded, human rights advocates and anti-war groups are calling for an immediate arms embargo. The ongoing violence has further entrenched the belief that U.S.-supplied weapons are enabling Israel’s assault on Lebanon and Gaza, deepening the humanitarian crisis in both regions.
The Lebanese health ministry reports that among the dead are at least 90 children and women. This surge in casualties is part of Israel’s latest offensive, which has involved widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and ambulances. These attacks mark Israel’s largest operation in Lebanon since the 2006 war with Hezbollah and are seen as part of its broader strategy to weaken resistance in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Israel’s military might is bolstered by billions of dollars in U.S. military aid, with Congress approving $18 billion in military assistance to Israel this year alone. This unyielding support has drawn fierce criticism from progressive politicians, human rights organizations, and activists who argue that the United States is complicit in Israel’s ongoing war crimes.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) was among the first to renew calls for an arms embargo, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “It’s easier to stop sending the Israeli government weapons to conduct its genocidal wars than it is to evacuate every American in Lebanon.” The Biden administration’s decision to resume shipments of 500-pound bombs to Israel after a brief pause in May has only intensified calls for a reassessment of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
According to Stephen Semler, co-founder of the Security Policy Reform Institute, American-made munitions are likely involved in the latest bombing campaign in Lebanon. “As more forensic evidence is recovered in Lebanon, we shouldn’t be surprised to see U.S. fingerprints all over it,” Semler noted, emphasizing that U.S.-supplied weapons have played a crucial role in enabling Israel’s ongoing military operations.
The humanitarian toll in Lebanon is staggering. As bombs continue to rain down on southern Lebanon, tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes, leaving entire villages deserted. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and emergency services are struggling to respond to the scale of the destruction. Reports from local authorities indicate that critical infrastructure has been targeted, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
In addition to civilian casualties, there has been widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Lebanese health officials confirmed that hospitals, medical centers, and ambulances were among the targets hit by Israeli strikes. These attacks not only violate international humanitarian law but also signal a broader strategy to destabilize Lebanon’s already fragile state.
Amid the devastation, the Israeli government claims it is targeting Hezbollah’s weapon supplies. Hezbollah, the political party and paramilitary group in Lebanon, has launched rocket attacks into Israel in retaliation for strikes in Gaza, raising fears that the conflict may spiral into a broader regional war. Israeli officials have accused Hezbollah of using civilian areas to store munitions, a justification often used for strikes on homes and hospitals, despite the cost in civilian lives.
The international response has been swift and critical. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Israel’s actions and urged the U.S. government to reconsider its unconditional support for Israel. “An immediate arms embargo on the far-right Israeli government is urgently needed to stop American weapons, paid for by our nation’s taxpayers, from being used in the latest slaughter in Lebanon,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s national deputy director.
Oxfam America has also voiced its concerns, urging President Joe Biden to use his influence to push for a ceasefire and a halt to arms sales. “In his speech to the U.N. General Assembly, foremost we need to hear one thing from President Biden: how he will use his power to end Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and ensure its compliance with international law in both Gaza and the West Bank,” said Oxfam America president and CEO Abby Maxman. She added, “As long as President Biden continues to obscure Israel’s flagrant violations of international law and provide the means for Israel’s unrestrained bombardment in Gaza, his legacy and the U.S. credibility will be utterly squandered.”
Despite growing pressure from progressive lawmakers and human rights organizations, the Biden administration has shown little inclination to shift its stance on military aid to Israel. Vice President Kamala Harris, when questioned about the arms transfers, has expressed support for the temporary pause on 2,000-pound bombs but stopped short of endorsing a broader embargo.
The escalating conflict in Lebanon and Gaza has far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy and the stability of the Middle East. Critics argue that continued arms shipments to Israel undermine any real chance of brokering peace and contribute to the growing humanitarian crisis across the region. The Biden administration’s attempts to de-escalate the conflict have been met with skepticism, as military aid continues to flow to Israel even while ceasefire talks remain stalled.
International experts warn that if the U.S. fails to act, the violence will only escalate, potentially drawing in other regional powers and creating a wider conflict. With Hezbollah vowing to continue its strikes as long as Israel’s war in Gaza persists, the prospect of a prolonged war that spills beyond Israel and Lebanon’s borders seems increasingly likely.
“The Biden administration is telling us that it’s working for a ceasefire in Gaza but continues to send arms,” said Stephen Semler. “It’s the same deal for the broader Middle East—they’re telling us they don’t want a broader conflict but keep sending weapons to Israel, which allows them to expand the conflict.”
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