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Joe Biden’s administration has tentatively approved $8 billion in new arms for Israel in a last-minute show of support for the US president’s closest ally after more than a year of fighting in Gaza.
The State Department disclosed the sale to Congress late Friday in what is known as an informal notification, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Such a notification comes before a public announcement of a deal, which would require approval by the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees before going through.
Axios first reported the planned sale, which includes $6.75 billion in precision-guided missiles and small bombs, $300 million in 155mm artillery shells, $600 million in Hellfire missiles and $300 million in Amram air-to-air missiles, according to a person familiar with the matter.
A second person said some weapons would come directly from U.S. stocks, but many would take a year or more to be delivered.
Killed in Israeli attack on Gaza More than 45,000 According to the Palestinian Health Authority, the people of the enclave. According to Israeli officials, Israel launched the offensive in response to an October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed 1,200 people.
Biden administration officials have vowed to continue efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza until their term expires on January 20, but talks have stalled for months.
The administration has repeatedly raised concerns with Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza but has largely not followed through on threats to freeze weapons.
In November, the State Department backed off threats to cut off military aid after aid deliveries to Gaza dropped to record levels, saying it was satisfied Israel had taken steps to improve the humanitarian situation.
U.S. officials say aid distribution has improved since then but is insufficient. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that Israel’s offensive has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave, and called for more aid to be delivered.
Biden has said he supports Israel’s right to self-defense and has pledged to arm it as part of efforts to deter Iran and its proxies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently accused the United States of delaying arms and ammunition deliveries, allegations the Biden administration has denied.
In November Netanyahu said he had agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon to help Israeli forces replenish their reserves.
That month the Biden administration informally notified Congress that it planned to give Israel $680 million In precision weapons.
The announcement comes after some Democrats in Congress tried and failed to block a $20 billion arms sale to Israel last summer.
Congress approved $26 billion in additional wartime aid for Israel in April. This comes alongside the $3.8 billion in annual US security aid to Israel.
