WASHINGTON — The US has frozen the delivery of 130 bulldozers to Israel due to concerns over their use in demolishing homes in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli Defense Ministry had signed a major contract with US machinery maker Caterpillar for the purchase of approximately 130 D9 bulldozers.

However, the deal was recently halted by the US following widespread criticism over the use of these bulldozers in Gaza, where they have been used to demolish homes, a practice that has drawn significant backlash in the United States.

Israeli security sources claimed that Israel had already paid for the bulldozers and was awaiting export approval from the US State Department.

The delay comes at a time when Israel is in urgent need of the bulldozers, especially after the equipment underwent maintenance and with the Israeli army engaged in ground operations in southern Lebanon.

The freeze has delayed Israel's plans to create a buffer zone between Gaza and southern Israel's Negev region, which would involve flattening hundreds of Palestinian homes and agricultural areas along the Gaza border.

In addition to the bulldozers, Washington has also frozen the delivery of hundreds of heavy bombs purchased by Israel from Boeing.

The bombs, weighing nearly a ton each, were intended for use by the Israeli military, but concerns were raised that they could be used to harm civilians in Gaza. While half of the bomb shipment was eventually delivered, the other half remains held in US storage.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel's continued offensive on Gaza has resulted in over 43,600 deaths and left the enclave nearly uninhabitable. Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the blockaded region, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. — Agencies