President Joe Biden has reportedly informed congressional lawmakers that he intends to send Israel a military aid package worth more than $1 billion. The package includes more than $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds. This decision comes after the president paused delivery on a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns about the heavy civilian death toll resulting from the ongoing attack on Gaza. Israel has been attacking Gaza since Hamas, the militant Islamist group controlling the territory, launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
Despite international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and tensions among Democrats over U.S. support for Israel, Biden signed into law $14 billion in Israeli military aid as part of a larger $95 billion national security package last month. The administration’s withholding of a shipment of bombs has been criticized by some Republicans, who claim that the president is supporting Hamas. The decision to send an additional $1 billion in military aid to Israel has raised concerns among those critical of U.S. support for Israel and its actions in Gaza.
The reported aid package for Israel includes tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds, but it is unclear whether this transfer is part of a new arms sale or a previously approved shipment. The White House has not officially confirmed the transfer of new weapons, so the timeline for when Israel might receive the aid is unclear. Biden had previously warned that the U.S. would not supply weapons and artillery shells if Israel continued its attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but Israel has pressed on with the attack regardless of this warning.
Critics, such as House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, have accused the Biden administration of adopting a pro-Hamas position by withholding previously approved sales of weapons to Israel. Emmer stated that initiating a new arms sale does not make up for withholding previously approved sales and that the House GOP will hold Biden accountable for his actions. The decision to send additional military aid to Israel has sparked debate and criticism within Congress, with some questioning the U.S. support for Israel given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the high civilian death toll.
As the White House has not officially confirmed the reported transfer of weapons, it remains to be seen when Israel might receive the new military aid. Despite concerns and criticisms regarding U.S. support for Israel, the Biden administration appears to be moving forward with the aid package. The ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis, and the civilian casualties have prompted discussions and debates about U.S. foreign policy and military assistance in the region. Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding common ground on such complex and contentious issues.
