U.S. Set to Send $8 Billion in Arms to Israel Amidst Gaza Conflict
In the waning days of the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of State has Notify Congress informally about plans to send $8 billion worth of weapons to Israel. This move, revealed by Axios and confirmed by multiple media outlets, may be the final arms deal between the outgoing Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before Biden’s term ends on January 20.
The notification, sent to the foreign relations committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, outlines a package that includes ammunition for combat planes and attack helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, and bomb guidance systems. This is a long-term agreement, with some munitions drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles, and others to be produced, which could take years to deliver. The weapons will be paid for using funds from the military aid package already approved by Congress.
The U.S. has provided broad military support to Israel throughout Biden’s term, despite tensions over weapons use in Gaza and calls for humanitarian access. In May 2024, the U.S. halted the shipment of 3,500 heavy bombs to Israel due to concerns about their potential use in Rafah, Gaza’s densely populated southern region. In October, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent a letter to Israel demanding it allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to continue receiving military aid. Some Israeli officials have suggested the U.S. is imposing a silent embargo.
Citing concerns about the conflict’s human cost, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have expressed unease about sending arms to Israel. They’ve called for linking military assistance to conditions related to humanitarian aid. Republicans, on the other hand, have solidly backed arms deliveries. Since the Gaza war began, over 45,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died due to Israeli attacks using U.S.-supplied weapons.
In May 2024, the State Department delivered a critical report to Congress, investigating potential Israeli violations of international law in its use of U.S.-supplied weapons. The report found that while Israel’s assurances were credible, it couldn’t conclusively verify if U.S. weapons were used to violate international humanitarian law.
In response to the new $8 billion arms package, a U.S. official told Axios, "The president has made clear that Israel has the right to defend its citizens in accordance with international and humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxies. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense."
Before leaving office, the Biden administration has rushed to maximize military aid to Ukraine to defend against Russia. In contrast, President-elect Trump has assured Prime Minister Netanyahu of his full support. Despite Biden’s efforts for months, an agreement including an Israeli ceasefire and the release of Hamas hostages has not been reached. In December, Trump threatened to unleash "hell" on Hamas if it didn’t free captives before his inauguration.
