President Joe Biden has reportedly informed congressional lawmakers that he intends to send Israel a military aid package worth more than $1 billion.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday night that the White House is planning to send Israel a fresh shipment of mortar rounds, tank ammunition and tactical vehicles, citing three congressional aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The move comes just days after the president paused delivery on a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns about the continuing attack on Gaza resulting in a heavy civilian death toll.
President Joe Biden is pictured on Tuesday speaking at an Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies event in Washington, D.C. The Biden administration on the same day reportedly informed congressional lawmakers of plans to… President Joe Biden is pictured on Tuesday speaking at an Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies event in Washington, D.C. The Biden administration on the same day reportedly informed congressional lawmakers of plans to send Israel an additional $1 billion in military aid.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP
The Context
Israel has been attacking Gaza since shortly after Hamas, the militant Islamist group that controls much of the territory, launched an October 7 surprise attack on Israel. The initial strikes killed 1,200 people in Israel, while over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since, according to AP reports citing local health officials.
Despite international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing tensions among Democrats over U.S. support for Israel, Biden signed into law last month $14 billion in Israeli military aid as part of a larger $95 billion national security package.
The administration’s withholding of a shipment of bombs, which is reportedly unrelated to both the $14 billion and $1 billion aid packages, has been heavily criticized by Republicans, some of whom claim that the president is supporting Hamas.
What We Know
According to the AP report, based on the account of aides who spoke anonymously to “discuss an arms transfer that has not yet been made public,” the Israel aid package includes approximately $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds.
It was unclear whether the purportedly impending transfer is the result of a new arms sale or aid package, or part of a previously authorized shipment.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the White House via email on Tuesday night.
Views
“To be clear: Initiating the process for a separate arms sale doesn’t make up for withholding previously approved sales,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while sharing an article from The Wall Street Journal, which was the first news outlet to report on the package. “No attempt to save face will absolve this administration of its pro-Hamas positions. The @HouseGOP will hold Joe Biden accountable.”
To be clear: Initiating the process for a separate arms sale doesn’t make up for withholding previously approved sales.
No attempt to save face will absolve this administration of its pro-Hamas positions. The @HouseGOP will hold Joe Biden accountable. https://t.co/WyPbmxWxRx
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) May 15, 2024
What’s Next
As the White House has yet to officially confirm the reported transfer of new weapons, the timeline for when Israel might receive the new weapons is unclear.
Biden previously said that his administration was “not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used” if Israel followed through on plans to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Israel has pressed on in Rafah regardless of Biden’s warning, with tanks barreling into the city and “reaching some residential districts” by Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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