In brief
President Biden's notable arms plan includes advanced weaponry aimed at enhancing Israel's defense capabilities amidst a rising death toll in Gaza.
In a significant move, the U.S. Department of State has informed Congress about an upcoming $8 billion arms sale to Israel, an official confirmed to the BBC. This consignment includes air-to-air missiles intended to combat airborne threats like drones. However, this plan awaits approval from congressional committees. As President Biden approaches the end of his term, the U.S. remains firm in its military backing for Israel, pushing back against suggestions to halt support due to rising civilian casualties in Gaza.Back in August, the U.S. had also sanctioned a $20 billion arms deal involving fighter jets and various military equipment to Israel. A source familiar with the deal emphasized that the President believes Israel has a fundamental right to defend its civilians while adhering to international laws. Biden has consistently referred to U.S. support for Israel as "iron-clad," and statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveal that the U.S. supplied 69% of Israel's major conventional arms from 2019 to 2023.The backdrop for this arms deal is a broader conflict, as Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas after a devastating attack on October 7, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages taken in Israel. Since then, reports indicate that over 45,580 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing tragedy.
