WASHINGTON, March 29 (Reuters) – The United States has approved the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel in recent days, two sources familiar with the effort said on Friday. However, the US remains aggressive in Rafah despite publicly expressing concerns about an expected Israeli military attack.
The new weapons package includes more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, according to officials who confirmed the Washington Post report.
The US government provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel, a longtime ally.
The policy comes as Israel faces intense international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip, and some members of President Joe Biden’s party have called on him to reduce U.S. military aid. It was announced during the
The United States is rushing to provide air defense and military supplies to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups say the Biden administration’s unyielding support for Israel is giving Israel a sense of impunity. criticizing.
Biden acknowledged Friday that many Arab Americans are “feeling the pain” over the war in Gaza and U.S. support for and military attacks on Israel. A Palestinian inspects the site of an Israeli attack on a house as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, March 29, 2024, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot, Purchase License Rights, opens in a new tab. Still, he vowed to continue supporting Israel, despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The White House declined to comment on the arms transfer.
The Israeli embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
The decision on the weapons came after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Washington this week and discussed Israel’s weapons needs with his American counterpart.
On Tuesday, Gallant told reporters in an apparent attempt to defuse U.S.-Israel tensions, stressing the U.S. relationship to its own security and Israel’s “qualitative military superiority in the region, including its air capabilities.” ” emphasized the importance of maintaining the
The war broke out on October 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel retaliated by launching air and ground attacks against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 32,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
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Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali. Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick. Written by Steve Holland. Editing: Chizu Nomiyama, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis
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