US announces arms deal with Israel worth $8 billion
Photo: The Israeli Defense Forces will receive a military aid package from the United States (Getty Images)
The US State Department has "informally" informed Congress about a proposed $8 billion deal with Israel. The agreement includes the provision of ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters, as well as artillery shells, reports Axios.
Sources from the publication noted that the deal is long-term. Some of the ammunition production and delivery could be covered by existing US stockpiles, but the delivery of the majority will take one or more years.
According to the sources, the arms sale, which must be approved by the House of Representatives and Senate's foreign relations committees, includes:
- AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against airborne threats, including drones;
- 155mm artillery shells and Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters;
- Small diameter bombs, JDAM tail kits that turn "dumb bombs" into precision munitions, 500-lb warheads, and bomb fuzes.
A US official stated that the State Department informed Congress that the agreement aims to "support Israel's long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and air defense capabilities."
"The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel's defense," a US official said.
Axios noted that the deal comes amid several months of statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters claiming that President Biden had imposed a silent "arms embargo" on Israel.
Some Democrats had insisted that the administration condition the arms sales to Israel on how the Israeli Defense Forces conduct military operations and how the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is handled. However, President Biden refused to do so.
Details on US military aid to Israel
In May 2024, the US halted the transfer of ammunition to Israel.
Specifically, the Biden administration suspended the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel due to concerns about their use in densely populated urban areas.
Later, the Pentagon stated that the reason for the suspension was Israel's plans to carry out a large-scale military operation against Hamas in the city of Rafah. The operation was criticized for not adequately protecting civilians from threats.
At the same time, Israel recently used the latest US THAAD missile defense system for the first time. The system intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen.
