An Israeli fighter jet during a previous raid on Gaza (Reuters)
In the past few days, the United States authorized sending billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter planes to Israel, despite Washington declaring its fears of an expected Israeli attack on Rafah that could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
The Washington Post quoted officials at the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) and the State Department as saying that the new weapons packages include more than 1,800 Mk 84 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds and 500 Mk 82 bombs weighing 500 pounds. The 2,000-pound bombs have been linked to previous incidents that led to Israel inflicting heavy casualties on Palestinians while using them to bomb the Gaza Strip.
An American official added that the State Department agreed last week to transfer 25 F-35A fighter planes and engines, valued at approximately $2.5 billion.
She indicated that the administration of President Joe Biden approved the new weapons shipment without notifying Congress and without announcing it to public opinion, based on a similar previous notification to Congress.
Washington provides $3.8 billion to Israel, its long-time ally, in annual military aid.
The new package comes as Israel faces strong international criticism for its continued bombing campaign and ground attack in Gaza, and as members of the Democratic Party call on President Joe Biden to cut off US military aid.
The United States lavishes Israel with air defenses and munitions, but some Democrats and Arab American groups criticize President Joe Biden's administration's steadfast support for Israel, which they say gives it a sense of immunity.
Yesterday, Friday, Biden acknowledged the “pain felt” by Arab Americans because of the war in Gaza and because of American support for Israel and its military attack.
But Biden pledged to continue supporting Israel despite the increasing public disagreement between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The White House declined to comment on sending the weapons.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The decision on weapons comes after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant's visit to Washington this week, in which he discussed
Israel's weapons needs with his American counterparts.
In an apparent effort to ease tensions between Israel and the United States, Gallant said in his interview with reporters on Tuesday that he stressed the importance of American relations for Israel's security and the importance of
Israel's "qualitative military superiority" in the region, including its air capabilities.
Source: American press + Reuters