The Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms deal with Israel, even as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire takes hold between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The package, which includes thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and small-diameter bombs, comes just days after a ceasefire agreement brought an end to the deadliest conflict in years between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group. However, Israel’s fight with Hamas in Gaza continues.
This latest deal follows a larger $20 billion sale in August, which included fighter jets and other military equipment. Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the U.S. has already sent over 10,000 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that a key reason for the ceasefire was the need to replenish munitions, acknowledging delays in arms shipments but promising that these issues would soon be addressed.
The arms package has been in the works for several months and was first presented to U.S. Congress in September and reviewed in October. Despite some opposition, particularly from progressive senators like Bernie Sanders, who raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the resolution to block the sale was defeated in the Senate last week.
Since the deadly Hamas attack in October 2023, which killed over 1,200 people, the U.S. has strongly backed Israel, with President Biden reaffirming the country’s support. The situation in Gaza has escalated, with over 43,900 Palestinians reported dead in the ongoing conflict. While U.S. officials have not confirmed the arms sale, they’ve reiterated their support for Israel’s right to defend itself, though also stressed the importance of protecting civilian lives. The deal is expected to move forward unless there are unforeseen objections from Congress.
Source: AP News
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