The U.S. State Department has moved a $1 billion package of weapons aid for Israel into the congressional review process, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday. The latest weapons package includes tank rounds, mortars and armored tactical vehicles, one of the officials said.
Quick Read
- Congressional Review of Weapons Aid: The U.S. State Department has advanced a $1 billion weapons aid package for Israel to congressional scrutiny, involving tank rounds, mortars, and armored vehicles.
- Concerns Over Use of Bombs: President Joe Biden has postponed the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel, voicing concerns about their potential use in a major offensive in Rafah, Gaza, urging caution to prevent civilian casualties.
- Political Ramifications: Biden’s support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas is proving contentious among young Democrats, influencing the political landscape as he seeks reelection.
The Associated Press has the story:
US State Dept moves $1B weapons aid for Israel to congressional review
NEWSLOOKS- WASHINGTON, (AP)
The U.S. State Department has moved a $1 billion package of weapons aid for Israel into the congressional review process, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
The latest weapons package includes tank rounds, mortars and armored tactical vehicles, one of the officials said.
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.
It’s the first arms shipment to Israel to be announced by the administration since it put another arms transfer — consisting of 3,500 bombs — on hold earlier in the month. The administration has said it paused that earlier transfer to keep Israel from using the bombs in its growing offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The congressional aides spoke of condition of anonymity to discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public.
The package being sent includes about $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the aides said.
There was no immediate indication when the arms would be sent. Israel is now seven months into its war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans to move the package.
The chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations and the House Foreign Affairs committees review major foreign weapons deals.
President Joe Biden said last week he had delayed a shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel over concerns they might be used for a major invasion of Rafah, a town in southern Gaza.
Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to invade Rafah without safeguards for civilians, seven months into a war that has devastated Gaza.
Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas has emerged as a political liability for the president, particularly among young Democrats, as he runs for re-election this year.
