Biden to send $8bn in weapons to Israel
The US Department of State notified Congress of plans to send $8bn (£6.4bn) worth of arms to Israel, an American official confirmed to the BBC.
The weapons consignment, which includes missiles, shells and other munitions, still needs approval from the US House and Senate committees, the BBC reported on January 4th.
The move comes a little over two weeks prior to President Biden leaving office. Due to the number of civilians killed during the war in Gaza, the US government has refused to suspend military backing to Israel.
About six months prior to the consignment, the US approved a $20bn sale of fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel.
The US official also stated that the last planned shipment contains air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells and bombs.
An informed party close to the deal defended the sale saying “The president has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organisations.
“We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defence.”
President Biden has routinely maintained that the US support for Israel is irrevocable.
The US is the biggest arms supplier to Israel, helping it build one of the world’s most technologically advanced militaries.
Between 2019 and 2023, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) accounts for 69% of Israel’s imports of major conventional arms from the US.
READ: US spends annual record $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel
In May 2024, the US halted a single consignment of 2000lb and 500lb bombs to Israel, over concerns that Israel would be advancing with a significant ground operation in Rafa, in southern Gaza. Upon the pause, Biden was met with backlash from both Republicans in Washington and Netanyahu, who likened it to an “arms embargo”. Biden then partially lifted the suspension, but has not repeated it since.
READ: US pauses weapon shipment to Israel amidst Rafah offensive
Heading into Biden’s departure from office, the planned shipment is one of various steps taken by his administration as part of a broader effort to cement his legacy.
This will likely be the last planned weapons sale to Israel before Biden leaves the White House on January 20th and Donald Trump is inaugurated.
In the past, and most recently during his re-election campaign, Trump has spoken about putting an end to foreign conflicts and curtailing US involvement.
Trump has also maintained his support of Israel, but has asked that it quickly put an end to its military operations in Gaza.
Israel’s forceful offensive against Hamas was a response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7th 2023, which led to 1200 deaths and 251 hostages.
According to the area’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 45580 have been killed in Gaza since then.
BBC
