The new arms package includes dozens of fighter jets, as well as mortar and tank ammunition
The US State Department has approved more than $20 billion in new arms sales to Israel, despite pressure on President Joe Biden’s administration to stop weapons deliveries to Israel and push it into ceasefire negotiations with Hamas to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a series of to Congress on Tuesday, the State Department stated that the United States is “committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
The largest deal, worth approximately $18.8 billion, includes the sale of 50 new F-15IA fighter jets and the upgrade of 25 F-15I jets already in service with the Israeli Air Force. West Jerusalem also plans to purchase Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for the jets, nearly 33,000 120mm tank cartridges, up to 50,000 high-explosive mortars, and new military cargo vehicles.
The State Department asserted that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” and will have “no adverse impact on US defense readiness.”
Most of the proposed weapons sales are long-term agreements, but the announcement comes amidst concerns that the ongoing war in Gaza could escalate into a wider Middle East conflict. Following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (who was the militant group’s chief negotiator in indirect Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel) in Iran, and top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut in late July, both Tehran and Hezbollah have threatened retaliatory actions against Israel.
These killings have sparked global worries of a full-blown war between Iran and Israel. On Monday, the leaders of France, Germany, and the UK jointly urged Iran and its allies “to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions.”
Hostilities erupted after Hamas launched a surprise incursion into southern Israel last October, resulting in the deaths of around 1,100 people and the taking of 200 hostages. The Israeli response has claimed at least 39,800 lives, according to Palestinian health officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has reportedly faced increasing pressure from the Biden administration to end the war amidst growing international criticism over Israel’s methods of warfare. While it would take years for the newly approved weapons to actually reach Israel, according to Axios, the announcement may help alleviate Republican criticism ahead of the elections that the Biden-Harris administration doesn’t supply weapons to Israel.