US plans $6 billion arms sale to Israel - WSJ
Photo: Weapons will not be delivered for at least 2–3 years (Getty Images)
The Trump administration has notified the US Congress of plans to sell Israel weapons worth around $6 billion, including helicopters and infantry fighting vehicles, according to The Wall Street Journal and The Times of Israel.
A US official and another person familiar with the matter said the package would include the sale of 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters worth $3.8 billion, nearly doubling Israel’s current inventory.
The proposal also includes the sale of 3,200 infantry fighting vehicles for $1.9 billion, with deliveries not expected earlier than two to three years from now.
The source added that a separate process is underway to sell spare parts for armored personnel carriers and power units worth $750 million.
The Times of Israel notes these sales come as US efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled, and Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, drew broad condemnation from US partners in the Middle East.
The report adds that the United States continues to provide support despite growing international pressure on Israel and increasing attempts by Senate Democrats to block offensive arms sales to the country.
Israel's offensive on Gaza
Recall that on the night of September 16, Israel launched an offensive on Gaza City, prompting sharp international criticism. The European Commission has proposed that the EU Council suspend certain trade provisions of the EU-Israel association agreement and pause direct support for some Israeli projects.
An Israeli defense official recently said Israeli forces had been positioned around the outskirts of Gaza City for weeks and began moving toward the city center overnight. On the eve of the offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel did not intend to occupy the city, and that the goal was to eliminate Hamas.
