Washington approves $20 billion in arms sales to Israel

Congress has been notified of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, 120mm tank ammunition, high-explosive mortar rounds and tactical vehicles.

This comes at a time when there are serious fears that Israel may become involved in a wider war in the Middle East.

But the weapons are not expected to reach Israel anytime soon, as they are contracts that will take years to implement. In fact, a large part of the weapons being sold are intended to help Israel increase its military capabilities in the long term.

In a statement issued by the US State Department regarding the deal, it said, “The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is vital to US national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” noting that “this proposed sale is consistent with these goals.”

According to the Associated Press, the Biden administration has had to balance its continued support for Israel with a growing number of calls from lawmakers and the American public to limit military support there due to the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza.

The contracts will include not only the sale of 50 new aircraft to be produced by Boeing, but also upgrade kits for Israel to modify its current fleet of 20 F-15 fighter jets with new engines and radars, among other upgrades.

Aircraft make up the bulk of $20 billion in sales, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in 2029.

With American support, Israel has been waging a war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in more than 132,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and deadly famine.

Tel Aviv continues the war, ignoring the UN Security Council resolution to stop it immediately, and the International Court of Justice’s orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Source: RT + Associated Press