Biden Proposes $8 Billion Arms Shipment to Israel Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Joe Biden plans an $8 billion arms package for Israel, signaling strong support amid ongoing regional challenges.

An American official has confirmed to the BBC that the US Department of State has informed Congress about a proposed $8 billion (£6.4 billion) arms sale to Israel.

The shipment of weapons, pending approval from the House and Senate committees, comprises missiles, shells, and various other munitions.

This decision occurs a little more than two weeks before President Joe Biden departs from office. Washington has dismissed requests to halt military support for Israel, despite the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict.

In August, the United States authorized a $20 billion sale of fighter jets and additional military equipment to Israel.

According to the US official, the upcoming shipment is set to include air-to-air missiles, Hellfire missiles, artillery shells, and bombs.

On Saturday, a source knowledgeable about the sale informed the BBC: “The president has emphasized that Israel is entitled to protect its citizens in accordance with international law and humanitarian guidelines while deterring aggression from Iran and its affiliated groups.”

We will keep supplying the resources needed to support Israel’s defense.

Biden has frequently characterized US support for Israel as unwavering.

The United States is the leading supplier of arms to Israel, significantly contributing to its development into one of the world’s most technologically advanced militaries.

As reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2019 and 2023, the United States was responsible for supplying 69% of Israel’s major conventional arms imports.

In May 2024, the US announced it had temporarily halted a shipment of 2,000lb and 500lb bombs due to worries about Israel initiating a large-scale ground operation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. This decision sparked criticism from Republicans in Washington as well as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who seemed to liken the pause to an “arms embargo.” In response, Biden later eased some restrictions on the suspension and has not reimplemented them since.

The scheduled shipment is one of several actions taken by the Biden administration in recent weeks, as the outgoing president seeks to strengthen his legacy.

It is expected to be the final planned weapons sale to Israel before he departs from the White House on January 20, 2025, when his successor Donald Trump takes office.

The president-elect has previously discussed plans to conclude foreign conflicts and decrease US involvement, including during his re-election campaign.

Trump has firmly established himself as a supporter of Israel, yet he has encouraged the American ally to expedite its military operation in Gaza.

In response to Hamas’ unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages, Israel initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling the group.

According to the health ministry operated by Hamas in Gaza, over 45,580 individuals have lost their lives since that time.

BBC