The State Department has formally notified Congress of its intention to approve over $7 billion in arms sales to Israel.
The Pentagon announced Friday that the State Department has greenlit more than $7 billion in military equipment sales to Israel, encompassing thousands of bombs and missiles. This announcement follows a recently brokered ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas.
Earlier this week, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met at the White House. During a joint press conference, President Trump suggested US control of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of Palestinians outside Gaza, funded by neighboring countries.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), two separate sales were submitted to Congress on Friday. One package, valued at $6.75 billion, includes various munitions, guidance systems, and related equipment, with deliveries commencing this year.
The second package, totaling $660 million, comprises 3,000 Hellfire missiles and associated equipment. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028, and deployment will necessitate supplemental US military training.
This sale reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening Israel’s military capabilities. Shortly after assuming office, President Trump reversed a previous administration’s hold on the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The Biden administration had halted this shipment due to concerns about civilian casualties, particularly in Rafah, Gaza.
However, reports indicate that the Biden administration informally informed Congress of an $8 billion arms deal last month. Sources suggest that some of this deal might utilize existing US stockpiles, with the remainder taking over a year for delivery.
The DSCA’s announcement comes despite calls from Democratic lawmakers to postpone the sale pending further review. Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the move, asserting it deviates from established procedures for major arms sales review. “In the United States we do not have kings – we are a democracy rooted in the Constitution, governed by laws,” Meeks stated.
This isn’t the first instance of the Trump administration circumventing standard weapons sales review processes. In 2019, the administration declared a national emergency to expedite over $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, bypassing congressional objections based on human rights concerns.