The Republican-led US House of Representatives has voted to force President Joe Biden to end his hold on high-payload bombs approved for Israel but blocked over concerns about their use in Gaza, AFP reports.

The largely symbolic move — it has no chance of becoming law — is a response to Biden suspending the shipments over fears of mass Palestinian casualties as Israeli forces press their assault on the densely populated city of Rafah.

The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would prevent Biden from freezing any congressionally approved military aid to Israel, including 3,500 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs that he has put on hold.

Republicans say Biden has no right to interfere with Israel’s military campaign, but House Democratic leadership described the bill as “another partisan stunt” infringing on the president’s ability to conduct foreign policy.

Nevertheless, 16 Democrats crossed the aisle to join Republicans in passing the bill by 224 votes to 187, while a further 13 did not vote, in a rare rebuke of Biden from a small but significant section of his own side. The legislation will be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate and Biden has pledged to veto it in any case.