Biden Administration's $680 Million Arms Sale to Israel
The Biden administration is advancing plans to sell $680 million worth of arms to Israel, despite a recent ceasefire brokered in Lebanon. This arms deal, which includes thousands of offensive munitions and small-diameter bombs, has been in the pipeline for several months and was first presented to congressional committees in September. A US official emphasized that the sale should be viewed as part of long-term support for Israel's defense, rather than a response to current events. Deliveries are not expected to commence for at least a year.
The announcement of this arms sale follows a significant $20 billion military package provided to Israel last August. Since the escalation of conflict in Gaza in October 2023, the US has supplied Israel with over 10,000 bombs and thousands of missiles, underscoring its role as Israel's closest ally and largest arms supplier. The ongoing violence has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with reports indicating over 44,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, raising serious concerns among human rights advocates.
