The United States has approved the sale of over $20 billion worth of new weapons to Israel, despite growing international pressure to cease arms deliveries to the country amid the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The announcement comes as US President Joe Biden continues to push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has been ongoing for over 10 months.
According to the State Department, the sale includes 50 F-15 fighter jets, valued at $18.82 billion, as well as nearly 33,000 tank cartridges, up to 50,000 explosive mortar cartridges, and new military cargo vehicles. The F-15 aircraft, which will begin to be delivered in 2029, will upgrade Israel’s current fleet and feature advanced radars and secure communication systems.
The State Department justified the sale by citing the importance of maintaining Israel’s security capabilities, stating that it is “vital to US national interests” to assist Israel in developing and maintaining a strong defense capability. The sale will also allegedly improve Israel’s ability to deter regional threats and strengthen its homeland defense.
However, human rights groups and some left-leaning members of Congress have urged the Biden administration to reconsider or halt the sale due to concerns over the devastating impact of Israeli military actions on civilians in Gaza. On Saturday, rescue efforts in Gaza reported 93 civilian casualties, including children, after an Israeli air strike targeted a school housing displaced Palestinians.
The Biden administration has declined to comment on whether US weapons were used in the attack, while Israeli officials claimed that the school was being used by militants. The administration has also come under criticism for its handling of previous weapons sales to Israel, with some arguing that the US is complicit in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Gaza conflict began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has killed at least 39,929 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The humanitarian crisis has worsened over time, with widespread destruction and displacement of Palestinians in the territory.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the US has not stopped all weapons sales to Israel. In May, President Biden froze a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs destined for Israel due to concerns over a potential mass-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. However, the administration has not halted other deliveries and has dismissed complaints from Israeli officials that the US was slowing down arms shipments.
The approval of these new weapons sales is likely to reignite controversy over the US’s role in supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Critics argue that the US is complicit in perpetuating human rights violations and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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