“Massive Arm Deal: Biden Approves $8 Billion Weapons Sale to Israel, Heightening Tensions in Middle East”
**US Approves $8 Billion in Weapons to Israel Amid Ongoing Gaza War**
The Biden administration has tentatively approved $8 billion worth of new weapons to Israel, a move that has sparked controversy amid the ongoing Gaza war. The State Department disclosed the sale to Congress in an informal notice, which comes ahead of the public announcement of a deal that requires approval from the Senate and House Foreign Relations committees.
The sales, first reported by Axios, include $6.75 billion for precision-guided missiles and small bombs, $300 million for 155mm artillery shells, $600 million for Hellfire missiles, and $3 billion for Amraam air-to-air missiles. A significant portion of these weapons will come directly from U.S. stockpiles, while others will take a year or more to be delivered.
The approval of these weapons sales comes as the Gaza war continues to rage on, with the Palestinian health authority reporting that Israel’s offensive has killed over 45,000 people in the enclave. Israeli officials claim that the offensive was launched in response to Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people.
The Biden administration has vowed to continue working to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza until the end of its term on January 20, but negotiations have been deadlocked for months. The US government has repeatedly raised concerns with Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but has largely failed to follow through on its threats to withhold weapons.
In November, the US State Department withdrew its threat to halt military aid, saying it was satisfied with the measures Israel had taken to improve the humanitarian situation, although aid to Gaza had fallen to a record low. US officials say aid delivery has improved since then but is still insufficient. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that the Israeli offensive is exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave and called for greater amounts of aid.
**FAQs**
Q: How much has the US approved for weapons sales to Israel?
A: The US has tentatively approved $8 billion worth of new weapons to Israel.
Q: What type of weapons are included in the sale?
A: The sale includes precision-guided missiles and small bombs, 155mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, and Amraam air-to-air missiles.
Q: When will these weapons be delivered?
A: Some of the weapons will come directly from U.S. stockpiles, while others will take a year or more to be delivered.
Q: What is the humanitarian situation in Gaza like?
A: The Palestinian health authority reports that Israel’s offensive has killed over 45,000 people in the enclave, while aid groups warn that the situation is catastrophic and in need of greater aid.
Q: Why is the US still providing weapons to Israel despite concerns about the humanitarian situation?
A: The Biden administration has said it will continue to provide weapons to Israel as part of efforts to deter Iran and its proxies, and has also vowed to support Israel’s right to defend itself.
**Json-LD FAQ Page**
**Conclusion**
The approval of $8 billion worth of new weapons to Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war has sparked controversy and raised questions about the US’s role in the conflict. While the Biden administration has vowed to continue working to mediate a ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The US’s continued provision of weapons to Israel has raised concerns about its commitment to addressing the crisis, and aid groups are calling for greater action to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
