Biden plans $8bn arms sale to Israel

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The Joe Biden administration has provisionally approved $8 billion in new arms to Israel in a last-ditch boost to the US president’s close ally after more than a year of war in the Gaza Strip.

The State Department disclosed the sale to Congress late Friday in what is known as an informal notification, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Such notification comes before the public announcement of the deal, which will require approval by the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees before it can be implemented.

Axios first reported the planned sale, which includes $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 air-to-air missiles. , according to one of the people familiar with the case.

A second person said some of the weapons would come directly from U.S. stockpiles, but many would take a year or more to arrive.

Israel’s attack on Gaza killed more than 45,000 according to the Palestinian health authorities, people in the enclave.Israel launched the attack in response to a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

Biden administration officials have vowed to continue efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas before the end of his term on January 20, but talks have stalled for months.

The administration has repeatedly expressed concern with Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but has largely not followed through on threats to keep the weapons.

In November, the State Department backed off a threat to cut off military aid even after aid deliveries to Gaza hit a record low, saying it was pleased Israel had taken steps to improve the humanitarian situation.

US officials say aid supplies have improved since then but remain insufficient, with aid groups repeatedly warning that Israel’s offensive has created a humanitarian disaster in the enclave and calling for much more aid.

Biden has said he supports Israel’s right to defend itself and has pledged to supply it with weapons as part of efforts to deter Iran and its proxies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has often accused the US of delaying the supply of weapons and ammunition, which the Biden administration denies.

In November, Netanyahu said he had agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, in part to help Israeli forces replenish their supplies.

That month, the Biden administration informally informed Congress that it was going to give Israel $680 million in precision weapons.

The announcement came after some Democrats in Congress tried and failed to block a $20 billion arms sale to Israel last summer.

Congress approved $26 billion in additional wartime aid to Israel in April, on top of the $3.8 billion in security aid the US provides to Israel annually.