U.S. Approves $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Approval of U.S. Weapons Sales to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

For several months, the Biden administration has been deliberating over the formal approval of a substantial $20 billion package of American weapons sales to Israel. This extensive package includes advanced military equipment such as F-15 fighter jets and medium-range missiles. The official notification to Congress regarding these sales was finally made public last week, coinciding with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s visit to Israel, which aimed to secure a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.

Despite the official approval, it is important to note that nearly all of the military equipment included in this package is not expected to be delivered to Israel for several years. This delay highlights the intricate and delicate balance the Biden administration is attempting to maintain between providing robust support to Israel during its military operations in Gaza and addressing the growing discontent and opposition within the United States over the significant civilian casualties resulting from the conflict.

The White House has been working to manage domestic opposition to arms sales for Israel among lawmakers, all while striving to prevent the conflict with Hamas from escalating into a broader regional war. A statement from the State Department emphasized, “We recognize Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism and other security threats, consistent with international humanitarian law.” They further added, “We will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself in the face of these threats.”

During a recent visit to southern Israel, an Israeli F-15 was spotted, reflecting the ongoing military readiness of the nation. Credit for this image goes to Jack Guez from Agence France-Presse.

U.S. officials revealed that the White House took into account several critical factors when deciding the timing of the formal approval for these weapons sales. These factors included daily developments within Gaza, the recent visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and concerns regarding potential retaliatory actions by Iran and its allied proxies—especially in light of the recent assassinations of high-ranking Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The timing of this announcement also aimed to prevent a contentious debate in Congress at a moment when the Biden administration is actively seeking to negotiate a cease-fire. Notably, Congress is not in session this month, meaning that the 15-day window for lawmakers to attempt to block these sales will close next week.