The US paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week over concerns of West Jerusalem’s looming ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, as cited by the Financial Times.

Washington has not decided the final fate of the arms but is concerned about their possible use in the Palestinian city, the Pentagon chief reportedly told a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

“We’re going to continue to do what’s necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself,” Austin stated, adding “But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah.”