Unlock the Watch House White newsletter for free
Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world
Joe Biden’s administration has provisionally approved $8 billion in new weapons for Israel in a last-minute show of support for the US president’s close ally after more than a year of war in Gaza.
The State Department disclosed the sale to Congress late Friday in what is known as an unofficial announcement, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Such an announcement comes before the public announcement of a deal, which will require approval by the Senate and the House Foreign Relations Committee before it can pass.
Axios first reported the planned sale, which includes $6.75 billion in precision-guided missiles and small bombs, $300 million in 155mm artillery shells, $600 million in Hellfire missiles and $300 million in Amraam air-to-air missiles , according to one of the people. familiar with the matter.
A second person said some of the weapons would come directly from US stockpiles, but many would take a year or more to be delivered.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people in the enclave, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel launched the offensive in response to a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.
Biden administration officials have vowed to continue pursuing efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza until the end of their term on January 20, but talks have stalled for months.
The administration has repeatedly raised concerns with Israel about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but has largely not followed through on threats to freeze weapons.
In November, the State Department withdrew a threat to freeze military aid even as aid shipments to Gaza fell to record lows, saying it was pleased Israel had taken steps to improve the humanitarian situation.
US officials say aid deliveries have improved since then but remain insufficient. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that Israel’s offensive has fueled a humanitarian disaster in the enclave and called for much more aid.
Biden has said he supports Israel’s right to defend itself and pledged to supply it with weapons as part of efforts to deter Iran and its proxies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has often accused the US of delaying arms and ammunition shipments, a charge the Biden administration denies.
In November, Netanyahu said he had agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, in part to help Israeli forces replenish their reserves.
That month, the Biden administration informally notified Congress that it planned to give Israel $680 million in precision weapons.
The announcement came after some Democrats in Congress tried and failed to block a $20 billion arms sale to Israel last summer.
Congress approved $26 billion in additional wartime aid to Israel in April. This came in addition to the $3.8 billion in security aid the US provides to Israel each year.
