Amidst heightened tensions with Israel over its actions during the Gaza War, reports indicate that Washington has greenlit arms transfers worth billions of dollars to its ally.
The approved arsenal includes over 1,800 MK84 2,000lb (900kg) bombs, 500 MK82 500lb bombs, and 25 F35A fighter jets, as disclosed by The Washington Post and Reuters news agency.
Of concern are the MK84 bombs, previously associated with Gaza airstrikes resulting in significant civilian casualties.
Despite providing $3.8bn (£3bn) in annual military aid to Israel, the Biden administration has voiced apprehensions regarding escalating civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, nearing famine levels according to the UN.
However, amidst these concerns, the US is reportedly backing Israel’s anticipated large-scale ground offensive in Rafah, near the Egypt border, prompting criticism from the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs in Ramallah for what they perceive as inconsistency in US policy.
Criticism has also emerged within the Democratic party, urging restrictions or conditions on US military aid to Israel.
The timing of these arms transfers coincides with President Joe Biden acknowledging the impact of the Gaza conflict on the Arab-American community.
While the State Department refrained from confirming pending arms transfers, reports suggest that these additional warplanes were part of a larger package initially approved by Congress in 2008 and requested by Israel last year, prior to the October attacks by Hamas that triggered the Gaza War.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant’s recent visit to Washington reportedly involved discussions on expediting the acquisition of US weapons.
Throughout the conflict, Israel has heavily relied on American air defenses and munitions, with tens of thousands of bombs dropped on Gaza, prompting concerns over the intensity and destructiveness of the aerial campaign.
Notably, Israel’s focus on preserving its qualitative military edge in the Middle East and preparing for potential escalation with Hezbollah, while seeking to mend strained relations with the US, underscores the complexity of dynamics amidst the Gaza conflict.
editor
What a confused country the USA is with a President who talks of ceasefire negotioations whilst shipping another $3.5 billion in weapons of mass destruction, drops aid into the sea so the beleaguered people of Gaza can drown trying to retreave it, knows that Israel are committing war crimes on a gigantic scale but chooses to ignore it and breaks its own laws by supplying weapons into a “War Zone” and the leader President Joe Biden thinks the American people will vote for him, looks more like they prefer the crazy man of the people Donald J Trump, thats if hes still at liberty. Meanwhile whilst most countries have resumed the much needed funds to UNRWA the US only remaining ally Great Britain steadfastly sticks to the tired and factually incorrect line of “Israel has a right to defend itself” which according to International law as a occupying power it DOESN’T! Repeating the disputed events of 7th october, but not mentioning the events of every after that date!