The Biden administration plans to move forward with a plan to sell more than $1 billion in new weapons to Israel, according to three congressional aides familiar with the deal. This includes new tactical vehicles and ammunition, as President Biden hopes to prevent U.S.-made weapons from being used in a potential invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The administration is attempting to balance its support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also trying to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza. The announcement of the arms deal comes after Biden previously said he would block the delivery of weapons that could be used in an assault on Rafah.
The potential arms transfer has been known to Congress for months, with the administration waiting for a foreign aid package with more aid for Israel to pass before moving forward with the required congressional notification process. The State Department has not provided details on the specific weapons being sold but has reiterated a commitment to supply Israel with military assistance to defend itself in the region, while withholding certain offensive weapons for potential operations in Gaza. The administration is still working on a better way to ensure the defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah, and has been pushing for a cease-fire deal in which Hamas would release hostages taken in an October attack on Israel.
Despite initially embracing Israel after the October attack, President Biden has found himself at odds with its conduct of the war in Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of deaths. He recently threatened to withhold additional weapons but reiterated the United States’ commitment to providing arms for Israel’s security, including for its Iron Dome missile defense system. The State Department has begun the process of notifying Congress of the arms transfer, allowing top foreign affairs lawmakers to consider and deliberate on the terms of the deal before the package is considered by Congress as a whole.
The administration’s stance on the arms transfer comes amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza, with Qatar playing a key role in the talks. However, the talks were described as being at “almost a stalemate” by the prime minister of Qatar. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about civilian casualties and the impact of U.S. weapons sales to Israel. While President Biden has expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself, he has also sought to prevent further escalation and loss of life in the region.
As the administration moves forward with the arms package for Israel, it faces criticism and scrutiny from lawmakers and human rights groups who have raised concerns about the impact of weapons sales on the conflict in Gaza. The administration’s efforts to balance its support for Israel with concerns about civilian casualties illustrate the complexities of U.S. policy in the region. The State Department’s notification of the arms transfer sets in motion a process for congressional oversight and approval, allowing lawmakers to review and potentially modify the terms of the deal before it is finalized. Edward Wong contributed reporting to the original article on this topic.
