America passed a US$20 billion arms supply package to Israel
Agency
14/08/2024
The United States has approved a US$20 billion arms sale to its ally Israel including several fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles. - REUTERS file photo
WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has approved the sale of US$20 billion worth of arms to its ally, Israel, including several fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, the State Department announced on Tuesday.
Congress was notified of the sale including more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs), 120 mm tank shells and high-explosive mortars and tactical vehicles.
The approval comes as the situation escalates as there are fears that Israel may be involved in a wider war in West Asia.
However, the weapons are not expected to reach Israel anytime soon as it is a contract that will take years to fulfill.
Much of what is being sold is to help Israel improve its military capabilities in the long term.
“The United States is committed to Israel's security, and it is vital to the US national interest to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. The proposed sale is consistent with that objective," the State Department said in a statement on the sale.
US President Joe Biden's administration has had to balance its continued support for Israel with growing calls from US lawmakers and the public to curb military support there following the high civilian death toll in Gaza.
It has intercepted a shipment of 2,000 pounds of weapons amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on densely populated civilian areas in Gaza. - Agency
