The White House has notified Congress of its intention to send over $1 billion (£800 million) in military aid to Israel, according to officials. The proposed package includes tank rounds, mortars, and armored tactical vehicles, Reuters news agency reports.
This plan, confirmed by a congressional aide to CBS, the BBC’s US partner, still requires legislative approval. Last week, President Joe Biden indicated he would suspend weapons shipments to Israel if it launched a significant invasion of Rafah, a city in Gaza. However, on Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced further into residential areas of southeastern Rafah, as reported by Palestinians to Reuters.
President Biden previously delayed the shipment of 2,000-pound (900kg) bombs to Israel due to concerns about their potential use in ground operations. When questioned by CNN about the delay, Biden remarked, “Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs.”
The latest arms package proposed to Congress is the first since the Biden administration paused arms transfers to Israel last week. According to the Associated Press, the package includes $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds.
A recent US State Department report indicated that some American-made weapons supplied to Israel might have been used in ways that breach international law. Although the report criticized certain Israeli operations in Gaza, it did not definitively conclude that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had violated international law. It also stated that assurances from Israel about the lawful use of US weapons were deemed “credible and reliable.”
Last month, Congress approved a bill providing $95 billion in aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. However, the transfer of weapons to Israel has become politically contentious for President Biden ahead of the 2024 White House election this November. The news of the latest arms package emerged shortly after a presidential primary election in Maryland, where activists urged voters to protest against what they perceive as Biden’s preferential treatment of Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent any further delays in arms shipments to Israel. The House of Representatives is set to vote on a measure requiring the State and Defense Departments to ensure the “prompt delivery” of military equipment. The White House has pledged to veto this bill if it passes the Senate, which remains unlikely.
