Biden administration considers using arms sales to Israel as leverage on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in order to limit the scope of the military offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to the American network NBC, citing American officials.

By order of the White House, the pentagon is reviewing the weapons that israel has requested without however having made any decisions yet.

The sources said Israeli officials continue to ask the US for more weapons, including large aerial bombs, ammunition and air defenses.

After weeks of unsuccessful appeals, the White House, is considering slowing or stopping arms deliveries in the hope that this will prompt the Israelis to take action, such as opening humanitarian corridors to provide more aid to Palestinian civilians.

The same officials said they are not likely to slow down the provision of air defenses, although the idea has been considered, as well as other systems that can defend Israeli civilians and infrastructure from attack. The command focuses on offensive military equipment.

Administration officials have also discussed giving the Israeli government more of the weapons it has requested as an incentive to take some of the steps the U.S. has demanded, the officials said.

The effort comes after weeks of President Joe Biden and US diplomacy failing to persuade Netanyahu and other Israeli officials to change tactics in Gaza and take more steps to minimize civilian casualties.

officials said.
This development, notes NBC, possibly signals a change in Biden’s approach as some Democrats in Congress urge the administration to do more to pressure Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.