Biden Approves $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
Biden Approves major Weapons Sale to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
President Biden has greenlit a ample arms deal for Israel, sending a clear signal of unwavering U.S. support as the conflict in Gaza intensifies. The shipment, confirmed by a senior U.S.official, includes a significant arsenal of weaponry, including air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs.
This move comes as Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, launched in response to the militant group’s surprise attack on october 7th. the attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages, has sparked a devastating conflict with a mounting civilian death toll in Gaza.
“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 organizations,” a source familiar with the sale told the BBC. “We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense.”
The U.S.has long been Israel’s primary arms supplier, playing a crucial role in building one of the world’s most technologically advanced militaries.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the U.S. accounted for a staggering 69% of Israel’s major conventional arms imports between 2019 and 2023.
This latest weapons package follows a controversial decision by the Biden administration in may to temporarily pause a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns about a potential ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza. The move drew sharp criticism from Republicans and Israeli Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu,who likened it to an “arms embargo.” Biden subsequently partially lifted the suspension, but the incident highlighted the delicate balance the U.S. must strike in its support for Israel.
The timing of this new arms deal is significant, coming as President Biden enters the final months of his term. It is likely to be one of his last major foreign policy decisions before leaving office in January 2025.President-elect Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel, has urged a swift conclusion to the Gaza operation. However, his campaign rhetoric emphasized reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, raising questions about the future of U.S. arms sales to Israel under his administration.