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In recent developments, President Joe Biden’s administration has preliminarily approved an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, signaling strong support for a key US ally amid continuing conflict in Gaza. The State Department informed Congress of the deal late on Friday through an informal notice, a precursor to the public announcement and a step requiring the endorsement of both the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees.
Initially reported by Axios, this substantial arms package is set to include $6.75 billion in precision-guided missiles and small bombs, $300 million in 155mm artillery shells, $600 million in Hellfire missiles, and $300 million in Amraam air-to-air missiles, as noted by those familiar with the agreement. Sources reveal that while some of the weaponry will be sourced from existing US inventories, most items will require a year or longer for delivery.
The ongoing offensive by Israel in Gaza, largely in response to Hamas’s assault on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties, has been deadly, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 45,000 deaths in the enclave. Despite the bloody conflict, Biden’s team remains committed to mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, though progress has been sluggish.
The administration has expressed consistent concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza but has largely refrained from exercising leverage over military aid to pressure Israel. An earlier November threat to suspend military support was rescinded once the State Department acknowledged Israel’s steps toward alleviating the crisis, although aid remains insufficient according to aid organizations. These groups continue to highlight the escalating humanitarian disaster and urge a substantial increase in aid supplies.
President Biden maintains that Israel’s right to self-defense is paramount, concurrently pledging military support as a strategic measure against Iran and its affiliates. On the flip side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the US of stalling weapon deliveries, a claim denied by Biden’s administration.
Netanyahu acknowledged in November that he had brokered a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon to facilitate restocking Israeli arsenals. This announcement from the Biden administration about a $680 million provision of precision weapons to Israel in November came on the heels of thwarted attempts by some Congressional Democrats to halt a $20 billion arms sale to Israel earlier last summer.
In April, Congress dispensed an added $26 billion in wartime funds to Israel, supplementing the $3.8 billion of annual security assistance the US consistently offers.
