The Biden administration is moving forward with a significant $680 million arms package for Israel, despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns in the region.
According to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the deal includes thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and hundreds of small-diameter bombs. This development comes as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah takes effect in Lebanon, although hostilities persist in Gaza with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The arms package, first reported by the Financial Times, has been in development for months. Initial details were shared with congressional committees in September, followed by a formal review in October. While the timing of the announcement coincides with recent ceasefire efforts, the deal reflects a longer-term strategy by the U.S. to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities.
This latest package follows a $20 billion arms sale in August, which included fighter jets and other military equipment for Israel. Washington, Israel’s primary ally and weapons supplier, has delivered substantial military aid during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Since the war began in October 2023, the U.S. has supplied Israel with over 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles, according to a Reuters report.
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The announcement of the arms package came less than a day after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended one of the deadliest confrontations in recent years between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon. However, tensions remain high as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza.
The Gaza conflict has taken a devastating toll. Since October 2023, Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
In retaliation, Israel launched a massive offensive in Gaza, displacing the majority of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents. Gaza health officials estimate over 43,922 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with the region now facing the risk of famine amid widespread destruction.
The arms deal has sparked debate within the United States. A group of progressive senators, including Bernie Sanders, introduced resolutions aimed at blocking certain arms sales to Israel. The resolutions cited concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and alleged violations of international human rights laws. However, these legislative efforts were ultimately defeated in the Senate.
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Despite criticism from some quarters, President Biden has maintained unwavering support for Israel. Since the October attacks by Hamas, Biden has consistently reaffirmed the U.S.-Israel alliance. His administration has framed its actions as necessary for Israel’s self-defense while also advocating for the protection of civilian lives in Gaza.
The timing of this arms deal raises questions about its impact on regional stability. While the ceasefire in Lebanon offers a temporary reprieve, the ongoing violence in Gaza continues to exacerbate tensions. The arms package could be seen as a signal of the U.S.’s long-term commitment to Israel’s military superiority, but it also risks inflaming anti-American sentiment across the region.
Critics argue that such large-scale arms deals undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With Gaza on the brink of humanitarian collapse and hostilities showing no signs of abating, the international community is divided on how to address the escalating crisis.
The $680 million arms package is a clear indicator of the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel’s security amid a complex and volatile regional landscape. However, it also underscores the challenges of balancing strategic alliances with growing concerns over human rights and humanitarian consequences.
As President Biden’s term nears its end in January, his administration’s decisions in the Middle East will leave a lasting imprint on U.S. foreign policy. The continuation of military aid to Israel, even during times of heightened conflict and humanitarian distress, highlights the enduring complexity of the U.S.-Israel relationship in an increasingly polarized world.