The U.S. State Department has officially notified Congress of a planned $8 billion arms sale to Israel, confirmed by an American official to the BBC. The shipment, which requires approval from House and Senate committees, includes a variety of weapons such as missiles, shells, and other munitions.
This announcement comes just over two weeks before President Joe Biden departs from office. The U.S. has dismissed calls to suspend military support for Israel in light of civilian casualties reported during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In August, the U.S. had already approved a substantial $20 billion deal for fighter jets and military equipment for Israel. The current shipment is said to consist of air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs.
A source familiar with the sale stated, “The president has made clear that Israel has a right to defend its citizens while adhering to international law and humanitarian principles, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxies. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense.”
Biden has consistently described U.S. support for Israel as unwavering. The U.S. is the largest supplier of arms to Israel, having played a pivotal role in establishing one of the world’s most technologically advanced militaries. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the U.S. accounted for 69% of Israel’s major conventional arms imports from 2019 to 2023.
In May 2024, the U.S. paused a shipment of 2,000lb and 500lb bombs due to concerns over Israel’s military operations in southern Gaza but faced backlash from Republican lawmakers and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who likened it to an “arms embargo.” Biden later partially lifted the suspension.
This proposed shipment is part of a series of actions taken by the Biden administration in recent weeks as he seeks to bolster his legacy before leaving the White House on January 20, 2025, when Donald Trump will be inaugurated.
While Trump has previously indicated a desire to reduce U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, he has reinforced his support for Israel, advocating for swift completion of its military operations in Gaza.
Since the onset of Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas, following the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, around 1,200 people have been killed, and 251 taken hostage. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that over 45,580 individuals have lost their lives in the region since then.
Credit: BBC News
